Seaside Park Getting Trash Drum Artworks

BRIDGEPORT — Seaside Park will benefit from some spring cleaning, thanks to the deployment of thirty Trash Drum Artworks in April. The recycled oil drums will replace trash cans currently used in Seaside Park, and will join six Trash Drum Artworks already at the park.

Jack Lardis, founder of Oil Drum Art, Inc, transforms 55-gallon oil drums into public use by creating planters and trash drums, and sculptural artworks. By doing so, he encourages a cleaner and more attractive Park City, and provides a creative outlet for local students and artists.

Charlie Carroll, the director of Parks and Recreation for Bridgeport, and Parks Manager Andrew Valeri are meeting with Mr Lardis and NEST Arts Factory Director David Flynn to discuss event set-up and requirements.

The Trash Drum Artworks deployment is being scheduled in coordination with the Park City Sweep spring event. The program enlists local residents to help clean and repair the city for everyone to enjoy in the coming warm months.

The Trash Drum Artworks are being set up as a prelude to the Seaside Park Arts Festival, Bridgeport’s first art and music festival. Scheduled for Saturday, May 24 (rain date May 25), noon to 5 pm, the festival will include live music, an oil drum painting workshop, a drumming circle, educational programs about the Sound, various children’s activities, and works on display by area artists.

The Seaside Park Arts Festival is being organized by Oil Drum Art, Inc, NEST Arts Factory, Black Rock Art Center and the City of Bridgeport. Information can be found at NestArtsFactory.com.