Trash Academy, a project of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restored Spaces Initiative, uses the issue of trash and litter as the vehicle to remedy mistaken perspective about city environments, involving participants in a collaboratory where their own research and creativity fuel a shared process of education, reflection, advocacy, and intervention. The participants become the leaders of these interventions, set the agenda for discussions, and lead efforts to educate their communities. Trash Academy holds the dual vision to invigorate both inner and public spaces in some of the city’s most litter-strewn neighborhoods — including Southwest Philadelphia. As a response, Trash Academy is developing the Birds and Bees project, which aims to explore our lost connections with nature and the environment. The project examines the interconnectedness of the trash we produce with birds and bees, and how that, in turn, affects our lives.
Every Thursday at Buist Park, Trash Academy will hold a series of activities, such as interactive games, teach-ins, workshops, and art-making to prompt meaningful discussion and knowledge-sharing around the issue of trash and nature. The project will result in a series of small murals in the vicinity of Buist Park. The project is in partnership with John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and Audubon PA. The Trash Mobile, a mobile education and art studio on wheels that provides a community activity platform. The operated by artists, residents, and high school students, will be based in Buist park for a year of availability in the neighborhood.
First Event: Open House – June 27 @4:30 pm at Buist Park (Hobson & Buist)
Trash Academy will be at Buist Park almost every Thursday (Wednesdays if rain is forecast) from 4:30 to 6:30 pm until end of August 2019. For more information, contact Shari Hersh 267-972-3944.
