BEMUS POINT - One man's trash can is another man's art project.
Those passing through Bemus Point this summer may notice something new about the village's public garbage cans and have been turned into an artistic canvas. The Bemus Point Retail Merchant's Association, in collaboration with the village of Bemus Point, decided to "adopt-a-barrel" in an effort to make the village even more beautiful and unique.
"It started when I was putting out the barrels for the spring," said William R. Reynolds III. "Anne Schettine approached me and said, 'I've been to a place, I forget where, where they decorate their barrels.' I thought it was a great idea and she took it to the Bemus Point Merchant's Association. A few weeks later she confirmed for me there was enough interest to make it happen. I ran it by the village clerk, who gave me the green light and it's taken off from there."
Article Photos
A recently repainted and decorated garbage barrel is pictured in front of the Musky Mall in Bemus Point. The Bemus Point Retail Merchant’s?Association recently implemented an “adopt-a-barrel” program among the village’s businesses.
P-J photo by
Remington
Whitcomb
Reynolds said those who decided to paint the barrels were encouraged to decorate the cans to reflect their business and the village, however to do so without blatant and conspicuous advertisement as part of the art.
According to Reynolds, 10 different business have expressed an interest in painting a barrel near their establishment and seven businesses have already started or completed painting their barrel.
"(The DPW) bought all the base paints," said Reynolds. "We bought yellow, white, blue and green and invited the business owners to come over to the DPW garage and start painting."
So far most of the barrels that have been painted don images of sailboats, fish or other aquatic species.
"To the DPW, the whole project has been a win-win situation," said Reynolds. "I'll admit that maybe six of the cans needed to be painted before they could be set out anyway, so the fact that they're decorated with art rather than the run-of-the-mill green is just wonderful."
And though the Bemus Point Retail Merchant's Association was the group that acted as the catalyst for painting the barrels, once village residents started noticing them, some individuals wanted to know how they could help out as well.
"I did have a resident say he would like to contribute to the program," said Reynolds. "He offered to paint a barrel down in the park. ... Sure enough, after a couple of weeks I noticed the barrel in the park gained a very elaborate fish with spots and stripes. It wouldn't surprise me if the barrel had another fish on it by the end of next week.
Though most of the barrels which have been designated for painting have already been claimed this year, Reynolds suggested that the program will become a summer tradition for the village, since it has been so well received.
"The moral of the story is that the little things matter," said Reynolds. "People notice the little things and residents of the village have definitely noticed; people have only had good things to say about it. It's really added color and character to the village, just as we hopped it would."