There’s a saying: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and environmental advocacy organization Sound Rivers and Arts of the Pamlico are relying on the idea to get people engaged in a unique exhibit by turning river trash into works of art.

In conjunction with Earth Day on April 22, Sound Rivers is hosting its ninth-annual Riverkeeper Cup Challenge, a trash-collecting competition on the Tar-Pamlico River by volunteers from Washington to Rocky Mount. The goal is to collect as much trash from the river as possible, weigh in and hand out bragging rights to the town with the most trash. This spring cleanup, however, Sound Rivers is also inviting local artists to get in on the action.

“This year, we’ve partnered with Debra (Torrence) and Arts of the Pamlico, just to put a different twist on it and increase participation,” said Sound Rivers Deputy Director and Tar-Pamlico riverkeeper Heather Deck.

“The Arts of the Pamlico is thrilled to be part of this community project to clean up our river and collect and recycle trash into art,” Torrence said in a Sound Rivers press release.

Torrence said the idea to recycle river trash came from Washington resident and artist Tina Jandrow.

In 2014, Washington volunteers won the Riverkeeper Cup Challenge; last year, approximately 200 volunteers up and down the Tar-Pamlico pulled nearly 5,000 pounds of garbage from the river — 640 pounds in Washington. Since 2006, volunteers have removed 50 tons of trash in the biannual cleanups, according to the press release. Deck said that in the aftermath of the Earth Day cleanup, there won’t be any shortage of bright, colorful objects from which artists can choose for their works of art. Trash including plastics, metals, bottles and more will be cleaned and upcycled, the release said.

“At the end of the cleanup, those who are interested in doing the trash-to-art cleanup can come through and pick out things to use,” Deck said. “Those with an artist’s eye will look at it and see a way to turn something into art that we would never even think of.”

An exhibit of art recycled from the trash will be on display starting Aug. 24, with an AOP members’ reception at Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre in Washington. The exhibit will be open to the public from Aug. 25 until Sept. 12, Torrence said.

Artists, and anyone else who’d like to participate in challenge, are asked to meet at the Havens Gardens boat ramp in Washington at 8 a.m. While Sound Rivers will supply gloves, trash bags and water, volunteers are asked to wear appropriate clothing, sunscreen and bring their own vessels if they plan to be on the river picking up trash. Those who don’t want to be on the water will be tasked with cleaning up the shoreline, Deck said.

“Bring their boat if they have it or their walking shoes, if they want to be on land,” Deck said.

Nearby businesses Backwater Jack’s Tiki Bar and Grill and Inner Banks Outfitters also will be supporting the spring cleanup: Backwater Jack’s is offering volunteers a 10-percent discount on food, while Inner Banks Outfitters owner Liane Harsh will be loaning several kayaks to the effort, Deck said.

Volunteers who plan to participate are asked to go to soundrivers.org and register through the events page; however, all volunteers are welcome, even if they arrive late or need to leave before the noon end time, Deck said.

“We appreciate any help at that time that folks can provide,” she said.

Artists interested in more information about the project and the river trash exhibit are asked to call Arts of the Pamlico at 252-946-2504.