Fine Arts Spectacular Judge

Make a difference. Karen Riley believes that it is up to us to make the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment through creative solutions involving art and recycling.

Karen is the Executive Director and a founder of the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery (Student Creative Recycle Art Program), the environmental arts education program. Since 1997, the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery has been addressing two of today’s most urgent issues – the environment and the education of youth throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond.

The essence of the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery is captured in the Four R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Responsibility. S.C.R.A.P. Gallery is an award-winning program, recognized as an Outstanding Organization by the North American Association of Environmental Education.

Riley supports a variety of art and environmental endeavors throughout Southern California, serving on the boards of the Coachella Valley Art Center, East Valley Art Foundation, Artists For Refugee Children, and as a 5 Gyres Ambassador.

Riley received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from California State University Long Beach and her Master’s Degree in Environmental Education from Fairfax University.

She was selected to participate in the 2019 NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Planet Steward program, which supports educators in developing hands-on action-based projects for students. She is also the author of Landfill Lunch Box, Argollas Plasticas y Otras Cosas/Plastic Rings and Other Things, Don’t Trash My Planet, The Eco Deck, and Recycle Road Trip.