Most cities’ trash cans are covered in gum, spilt soda and bird droppings, but the city of Santa Clarita is taking a more artful approach.

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Over the past couple of years, city of Santa Clarita officials have asked several artists from the community to paint “Art Cans.”

The Art Cans are trash cans with various painted designs representing the Santa Clarita Valley.

Some designs include flowers, while others include historical figures and events.

There are 17 of the art cans located throughout the city.  Some of the artfully painted 55-gallon cans can be found on Main Street.

There were 17 finalists that were selected from 65 proposals that were submitted by 35 artists, according to the city of Santa Clarita’s website.  City officials picked the designs that they liked best and paid the artists to paint the trash cans.

Three of the locations where these unique trash cans can be found include Main Street in Newhall, the Santa Clarita Sport Complex and the Santa Clarita Aquatics Center in Canyon Country.

The artists who painted art cans along Main Street included Gerda Maxey, Jim Urick, JoAnna and Scott Bruckner, Anne Marie Darrach, Donna Weil, Cecily Willis, Jessea Gay Marie and Mike Burton.  The artists who painted art cans near the Sports Complex, Aquatics Center, and Skate Park include Frank Rock, Gerda Maxey, Mary Kay Wilson and Dave Ekman.

The Art Cans on Main Street were painted in 2006; the Canyon Country ones were painted in 2010.

The city asked artists, including members of the Santa Clarita Valley Artists Association, to submit ideas.  

The cans were painted with an anti-graffiti coating before being placed to prevent vandalism.

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Source: Santa Clarita News
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