Artists find new medium

The first of 50 painted trash cans will soon start showing up in area public spaces as early as next week. "Thanks to a grant from Arts Midwest, we invite groups to celebrate their place in our community by painting 55-gallon trash cans," Vanessa Cook, co-founder of Norwalk Arts Center, said. The painted cans are a part of the 'Glam the Can' project, the first public art project designed by the Norwalk Arts Center and the Artists' Open Studio. The organizations have been working with volunteers and groups to turn trash cans into works of art. "This is a great way to build community, have some fun with art and promote a clean environment," Cook said. Norwalk Mayor Dave Light said the community has really gotten involved with Glam the Can, describing it as a "wonderful hometown project." He said MaryLisa Boose found the grant to kick start the project and the city's general services Superintendent Daren Smith found the barrels for the project. The first 13 cans were picked up Tuesday and Smith said the cans will start showing up in parks and other public spaces as early as next week. "This project is an amazing opportunity to beautify and enhance the presence of art in our local area," the art studio's managing director Jackie Hug said. "It's exciting to engage community members in the process so that all might have the opportunity to feel the joy and fulfillment in creating together." The City of Norwalk donated 50 cans for the project and so far all cans will be used in the city and Light said a group of city employees also plan to decorate a can. If a group from another community decorates a can, however, the finished product can be used in that community. Cans decorated by 4-H groups will be used at the Huron County Fairgrounds. Organizers say they have one can left to be painted. Anyone interested in painting a trash barrel can register at norwalkartscenter.org. Workshop times are still available on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – noon and from 1-3 p.m. If large groups such as a school wants to decorate a can, arrangements can be made for the can to be decorated at the group's location. Arts Midwest awarded a grant to NAC and AOS to cover the artists' stipends and supplies. Volunteers from both organizations are also helping with the project.