Local Students Transform Beach Trash into Artistic Masterpieces with a Meaningful Message

April 19, 2024

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Tampa, FL (April 19, 2024) – Local students from Robinson High and Lanier Elementary—two Port Tampa schools—are diving in to a project to raise awareness about the problem of trash in our waterways and along our beaches, while showcasing the power of art and environmental stewardship.

Through a partnership with The Florida Aquarium and a grant from the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, students from Robinson High’s Marine Biology Club and from Lanier Elementary created the artwork using trash collected from local beaches. The art installation is now on display on the second floor of the Aquarium at the entrance to the Coral Reef gallery. Visitors are invited to enjoy the students’ works while considering the harsh reality of the excessive garbage littering our oceans.

The art installation, called “Marine Debris Awareness and Outreach,” recognizes the urgent need to address the trash problem plaguing coastal communities. Students from the schools have been conducting beach cleanups, hosted by The Florida Aquarium, to gather discarded items polluting the shorelines. Instead of throwing it away, the students, with assistance from the Aquarium, cleaned and sanitized the materials, and used the items to create the artwork—showcasing the potential for beauty amid environmental devastation.

• With just four cleanups this school year, students from both schools collected more than 250 pounds of trash.
• 3,000 pieces of trash were sorted, and the information recorded in local and national databases.

“Participating in this initiative has been eye-opening,” said Audrey Coleman, a 10th grade student at Robinson High School and active member of the Marine Biology Club. “Seeing the reduction in trash at our local beaches and witnessing the excitement of younger students getting involved has been truly inspiring. It’s a reminder that while the artwork we’ve created is beautiful, the underlying issue of marine debris is an ugly reality.”

As part of the project, The Florida Aquarium staff also met with third graders at Lanier Elementary to expand their knowledge about marine debris through hands-on activities. The artwork will be on display at the Aquarium through World Oceans Day on June 8th.