Trashasaurus Rex Helps Save Mother Earth

With Earth Day approaching next month, I submit the following for your consideration.

Appearing as the mascot for a children’s Website called The Imagination Factory, Trashasaurus Rex has traveled millions of virtual miles in making people aware of the world’s solid waste problem. Covered with thousands of pieces of trash, the 9′ tall dino is stuffed with more than 300 plastic shopping bags and foam egg cartons.

Since his completion, Trashasaurus Rex made many public appearances on behalf of the environment, including one at the first Kids’ World Conference on the Environment held at the Nickelodeon Television Studios in Orlando, Florida. Children from around the globe attended, and they enjoyed looking at Trashasaurus.

Created by environmental artist and art teacher Marilyn Brackney, the Columbus, Indiana resident spent hundreds of hours in completing the sculpture. After hearing of the devastation to the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum caused by Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Brackney donated Trashasaurus to the organization in celebration of Earth Day’s 30th anniversary in 2003.

Gluing on the solid waste was hard work, so Brackney passed the time by combining ordinary things in a fun, playful manner. There are jokes and puns all over the dino’s body, and there is a lot of symbolism. For example, the 50 gloves and mittens running down its back show that everyone in the U.S. contributes to the solid waste problem, and each of us has a responsibility to solve it. The artist hopes Trashasaurus will make people aware of our shrinking landfill space and encourage them to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

The Imagination Factory, which is located at http://www.kid-at-art.com, teaches kids how to repurpose materials to create art and crafts.

More info: kid-at-art.com