A new environmental art exhibit featuring giant sculptures made entirely from marine debris has opened at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory for the summer season.
The free exhibit, “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea,” runs through Labor Day and includes 10 large-scale sculptures constructed from plastic pollution collected from beaches and waterways.
Created by the nonprofit Washed Ashore under the direction of artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi, the exhibit combines environmental education with public art to highlight the impact of ocean plastic pollution.
Featured sculptures include a humpback whale tail, sea turtle, bald eagle, shark and puffin built from discarded items such as bottle caps, fishing gear, flip-flops and plastic toys.
Zoo officials said the exhibit aligns with Como’s conservation and sustainability mission while helping visitors better understand the growing impact of marine debris on wildlife and ecosystems.
One of the exhibit’s centerpiece works, “Rosa Bald Eagle,” spans 17 feet and symbolizes environmental recovery and resilience. Another sculpture, “Natasha Sea Turtle,” weighs roughly 1,200 pounds.
Educational signage throughout the zoo grounds encourages recycling, waste reduction and sustainable consumer habits.
Admission to Como Zoo remains free, with voluntary donations encouraged. More information is available at comozooconservatory.org/washedashore.
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