The Washed Ashore Project, based in Bandon, Oregon, builds large art sculptures of sea life made from plastic marine debris. Their unique art pieces are part of a traveling exhibition which includes educational signage and programs that encourage reducing, refusing, reusing and recycling.
The nationally recognized project makes its biggest splash yet with 12 sculptures commissioned for SeaWorld marine park’s 20th anniversary celebrations in California, Florida and Texas. Volunteer artists are busily contributing to the SeaWorld commission. The Old Town workshop and exhibit hosted 300 visitors per day through summer 2013.
From a distance, Washed Ashore displays look like colorfully stylized marine life – up close, sculptures reveal fragments of plastic, rubber, glass and metal. Lead artist Angela Pozzi began recruiting volunteers in 2010 to help collect debris from local beaches and build art.
Washed Ashore is on exhibit in Bandon, Oregon at 325 Second St SE and online at washedashore.org.
Image: The Washed Ashore puffin parade float, sponsored by Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, won first prize in the 2013 Bandon Cranberry Festival parade. Photo by Angela Cardas, Cardas Photography.
Story by Julie Miller, Bandon Chamber of Commerce