Marine Exploration Center Seeks Artists To Help 'Bag the Plastic'

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- In support of the multi-million dollar research and exhibit facility (opening at Bayboro Harbor, Summer 2018), the Marine Exploration Center is spreading awareness and encouraging consumers and retailers to “Bag the Plastic."

The program will feature reusable bags available for purchase at local retailers in lieu of plastic shopping bags. Plastic bags are a known hazard for sea turtles, dolphins and other marine life.

With Pinellas County surrounded by water and being a major retail and tourism destination, the habitats in and around Tampa Bay are very susceptible to the damaging effects of plastic pollution.

The artwork on these reusable bags will feature local (Tampa Bay) artists who are being invited via a “call for entry” to submit their designs or ideas to the MEC for consideration. Up to three artists will be selected for the first round of bag printing and distribution.

Bags will be sold via local retailers for $4 with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Marine Exploration Center (A 501-c-3 not for profit).

"As the representing agency of the St. Pete Ocean Team and as coalition member of the Suncoast Rise Above Plastics, we have been engaged in the remediation of plastic bag usage for years," said Melissa Dude, education director of the Marine Exploration Center. "Bag the Plastic is a wonderful opportunity for our organization to not only teach and tell but actually show and do by offering a suitable plastic replacement in the form of a reusable shopping bag. Featuring local art is a bonus and fits our talented St. Petersburg community so appropriately."

Artists are encouraged to submit their design concepts to the Marine Exploration Center via the MEC website. While artists will not be financially compensated, they will be promoted and recognized throughout the city on bags, in retail destinations and via the MEC.

About the MEC: The Marine Exploration Center aims to educate and entertain visitors while providing important support for the delicate marine systems in and around Tampa Bay. The facility will be an expansion of the MEC’s current duties for several Bay Area marine initiatives including the life support, maintenance, and guest immersion and education programs of the aquaria at the Guy Harvey Outpost (Rum Fish Grill at the St. Pete Beach resort) and Tampa International Airport.

More on ‘Bag the Plastic’: http://mecstpete.org/bag-the-p...