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Del Mar Fish for Thought Public Art Project to Teach Kids, Community about Recycling
Elementary student artworks made from recycled materials with help from artist Rodrigo to be installed May 30th
For Immediate Release Press Contact: Becky Deller 858.248.1551 Mara Bickett 619.972.5081
DEL MAR, CA - May 14th, 2009 – Picture a mile of marine-themed artworks—colorful concoctions
of scrap wood, old toothbrushes, aluminum soda tabs, popped balloons and the like, mounted on recycled sticks--winding "Christo style" along the scenic Del Mar
coastline. Now picture the faces of delighted youngsters who designed the mini-masterpieces, which they call Fish Sticks.
This simple recycling/art project by Del Mar’s Elementary School children has taken
on a life of its own in their hearts and minds, while heightening ocean pollution awareness in the town. Fish For Thought will culminate May 30th in an all-community beach cleanup and coastline art installation along Del Mar beach. More than 400 students worked with local recycled-trash artist Rodrigo (aka Rodney McCoubrey) to create their own one-of-a-kind recycled wooden fish, embellished with recycled trash collected from the beach and home.
Additionally, filmmakers have been following the story to document this grass roots effort and are fundraising to complete an educational documentary. Del Mar hopes to highlight this pilot program as an example of what a community can do to reverse the negative impact trash makes on our beaches and ocean - a small community with a big message.
Local Chief Lifeguard Pat Vergne said “Our community is using art to raise awareness about trash and the negative effect it has on the health of our marine life and our coastal community. We are thrilled to be supporting the Fish Sticks exhibition and the 5th annual Keep Del Mar Clean community beach clean up as we kick off our city’s new recycling program.”
Additional partners in the project include the City of Del Mar and environmental group “Keep Del Mar Clean.” The beach clean up will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Power House Park in Del Mar and Fish Sticks will be on display from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Power House Park north to Dog Beach in Del Mar, both on Saturday May 30th.
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