Trash 2 Treasure
Unconventional Canvases of Creative Expression
It’s quite remarkable how an everyday item we all utilize can be completely transformed and create a message of community, inspiration, and beauty.
In the most unconventional way — transforming dumpsters from a unappealing, yet necessary piece of infrastructure, has become another hidden gem in the University District. Started in 2019 in the alley of West Norwhich Ave. There, the project saw a decrease in graffiti on dumpsters and people taking better care of the alleys where these pieces were located.
The project received genuine interest and support which led to a 2nd call for artists in the late summer of 2021, this time for a series of dumpster murals in Pearl Alley.
See below for our gallery of dumpster murals and how these unique canvases inspired the artists who created them. Then, take a walk down Pearl Alley and see how these unique pieces of public art reimagine everyday objects and beautify a community.
Derrick Callender: “A lot of my work is inspired by space, and creative characters.” @derrickcan.draw
Sam Bonnell-Kangas: "This is in homage to the many mattresses that often fill the alley of campus following the end of a school year, the exterior of the dumpster shows a stack of colorful slabs that bend and flex to the will of the objects they’ve fallen on top of, in this case, moving boxes.” @sambk
Lisa Celeste: “The colorful pattern represents the veil between reality & our how our eyes perceive their own reality.” @lisaceleste
Bryant Anthony: "The message is simple -- Spread more love." @bee1ne
Robert ‘mrrobotgeek’ Williams “when people see clouds they can dream, relax and have a positive look on things” @mrrobotgeek
Ashley Pierce: “The lightening bugs and the full moon can add a bit of whimsy to the area.” @adpierce82
Maureen Clark: “I love the idea of beautifying an everyday object typically ignored or seen as unsightly.” @maureeneclark
Donna Estep: “The blend of urban and country, metal and wood, natural and man-made.” @donnaestep
Community Refugee Immigrant Services: “Like fabric, we are woven into each other's lives and create something beautiful together.” @crisohio