Larry DiSalvo Brings ONE MAN'S TRASH to Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 4/22

In conjunction with Earth Day, on Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m., Staten Island artist Larry DiSalvo will present "One Man's Trash...." Geared toward children of all ages, DiSalvo will show the audience boxes of commonly discarded items and ask what they might make from them. He will then reveal the phantasmagorical treasures he was inspired to create from someone else's garbage.

An exhibition of DiSalvo's recycled-material sculptures titled, "Il Circo," is currently running in the museum's art gallery through July 14. The show contains ten of his carnivalesque characters-from The Plate Spinners, The Tight Rope Walker and The Juggler to The Fat Lady, Il Pagliacci and even Emmett Kelly-whose fantastic colors bring to mind the exotic quirky characters of Cirque du Soleil.

A self-taught artist, DiSalvo says he learned how to paint by watching Bob Ross's TV show, "The Joy of Painting." He began making his exotic creations in 2001: "At a particular moment, I was struck by a creative impulse but had no art supplies at my disposal. I collected from my recycle and trash bins a wire hanger, a coffee can, a chopstick, some plastic, cord and a little paint and made an implausible maritime sculpture and called it 'Boat.'"

Now, with contributions from a friend who works for the Department of Sanitation, as well as broken dishes, tin can lids and plastic he salvages from his own trash and occasional forays to the curb, he has plenty of raw material.

Admission to "One Man's Trash..." on Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m., is $10, members and children $5, and includes a light reception. DiSalvo will also auction off some of his paintings. "Il Circo" may be viewed during regular museum hours, with paid museum admission, until July 11, 2012.

For more information, visit www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org or call 718-442-1608. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum has owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America since 1919.