KENTISLAND, Md. - From trash to treasure, the Kent Island Beach Cleanups organization and Queen Anne's County artist, Lucy Kruse, are bringing the Bay's garbage to life. Kruse is using trash collected from Kent Island's beaches and waters to build a 7-foot-tall sculpture covered with marine life. She calls it, "Many Hands."
"It's been a challenge," Kruse said while busy working on Thursday. "I've been very happy with how things have evolved."
Kent Island Beach Cleanups Founder, Kristin Weed, says she and many volunteers visit the area's beaches, collecting bins full of trash. In just two cleanups alone, Kruse says she's been overwhelmed with supplies for her sculpture.
So far, the "Many Hands" sculpture's base is complete. Since February, Kruse has worked to create animals like blue crabs our of shotgun shells and plastic. A row of jellyfish is made out of Starbucks and Royal Farms cups. A pair of starfish, Kruse says, she used making styrofoam and cigarette butts.
"This is a big deal. We have to wake up," Kruse said. "Let's start small by realizing that straws are a problem and then add up to some of the other things. Obviously, we've become very dependent on plastic and it's in everything."
And it's not just plastic. Kruse has used an Easter basket, baby shoes, and even balloons as part of her sculpture - all found by volunteers on Kent Island's beaches.
"It's a serious problem," Kruse said.
According to Weed, they're working with the National Aquarium and Chesapeake Bay Trust to get Kruses' sculpture on tour. In September, it will be on display in schools across Queen Anne's County and possibly the National Aquarium itself, according to Weed.
