Can trash be art?
The City of Roanoke hopes so.
The city is seeking artists to design vinyl wraps for its big belly solar trash units.
The bins use the evergy from the sun to compress the trash like a kitchen compactor.
City leaders hope the art contest will raise awareness about the solar trash units and make public art more accessible.
"What we're looking to do is try to bring art to the public instead of going to the Taubman Museum of Art or Center in the Square have art right here in the streets so people can enjoy," said Solid Waste Management Director Skip Decker.
Decker points out cities like Chicago and Philadelphia have decorated their solar trash units.
There are currently five solar trash units in the Hurt Park area.
Six additional ones will soon be installed in other parts of the city.
They will be located in the neighborhoods of Northwest Roanoke, Loudon/Melrose, Moutain View, Southeast, Wasena, and Old Southwest.
The deadline for designing a vinyl wrap for the bins is May 11th. If you details and application, click here.
