Driving down the bypass on St. Croix heading towards the David Canegata Ballpark, a brand-new mural at the stoplight that reads “It’s Our Home, Let’s Keep It Clean” has appeared. This is just one of the examples of the efforts from the V.I. Waste Management Authority’s initiative to “Making Trash Pretty” throughout the territory. Although not the official slogan of the initiative the mission is clear.
The Source met with Environmental Educator and reigning Ms. St. Croix Na’Zirah Armstrong at the new mural, where they were adding some final touches to a project that took them two to three days. Armstrong, who assisted with the mural, said, “I love to be in creative spaces.” The artists spearheading the murals for VIWMA are Alice Krall and her daughter Khaleila Krall. They have also collaborated with other community members and artists on initiatives throughout the territory.
“We want longevity, we want to keep it happy, and we want everyone to remain safe and clean. These little positive messages even though they are pretty they do create little think pieces. It’s our home. Let’s keep it clean, safe and good forever. So that is our goal with these different beautification projects,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong said that the idea of creating the murals across the territory originated while she was doing community presentations and was going into the schools. She found that schools that have a greater sense of ownership kept the school cleaner. “I came up with the idea that the schools I would be visiting, I would be giving them their own bin,” said Armstrong.
On the bins, handprints from the students were placed as art on the sides. It has now grown into murals and partnerships. VIWMA has partnered with several sororities, organizations, and schools.
“It’s a way to give back and be involved in the community while raising awareness for what we do. We are not just solid waste, wastewater, but we manage all their waste. It’s not a personal responsibility, everyone is responsible for our home,” said Armstrong.
So far, Alice Krall has painted on garbage disposal trucks, small garbage bins, 20-foot bins, and guard booths, just to name a few. Originally a goldsmith from Tampa University, Krall said that she wasn’t into creating murals on the side of 20-yard garbage bins until her daughter looped her in. Today she only paints for VIWMA. To get the job done, Krall has even taken work nights to paint on VIWMA garbage trucks during the hours they are not operational.
“When someone comes to your neighborhood and even if you are happy or you’re mad, you will be like, oh the orange truck did not do the pickup,” said Krall referring to the garbage trucks’ new colors.
The new mural at the end of the bypass covers a damaged building that belongs to the government. The mural is also created with thought. As the community takes a closer look, they will notice local flowers that represent the Virgin Islands, such as the Ginger Thomas, two types of hibiscus flowers, passion fruit, frangipani, and other local flowers.
“This is not to cover an issue but to say while this is here, here’s what we are going to do, and, in the meantime, while we are doing something, here is where we are. It is an effort to make the community,” Armstrong said.
