Art from Water Pollution

Connecticut artist Kat Owens makes a stunning statement with her beautiful hand-sewn murals using trash collected from our waterways.

The UCONN Master Gardener booth at the Haddam Neck Fair is hosting Owens' amazing murals to help visitors understand the serious pollution affecting our coastal waterways. 

Using hard-to-recycle debris picked up from the shoreline, Owens created panoramic murals of various species of shoreline life. The impact is sobering to see, knowing the harm that these materials cause to our creatures.

Visitors were amazed to learn that the murals were created from trash, children especially were enthusiastic to see all the discarded items that were used in the displays, and had fun identifying them.

The day's favorite murals were the large shark and the sea turtle. Smaller murals showed birds and other fish.

One large mural of an octopus was not created by Owens, but inspired by her work.

See this wonderful display at the fair through Monday, September 6, and also learn more about our environment and how you can contribute. Help preserve Monarch butterflies with the free milkweed seeds we have. Learn about several new pests arriving in Connecticut, and see photos of the invasive plants we are constantly fighting. Talk to a Master Gardener about your garden or problems you might be having. We are there to help!