**Big, colorful trash receptacles are being places around Newport courtesy of Thompson’s Sanitary Service and Newport Middle School art students.** (Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle)

Seagulls, sunsets, orcas, lighthouses and wildlife decorate the sides of 14 trash cans that will soon to be placed all around Newport.

Students from Newport Middle School gathered at Thompson’s Sanitary Service on Monday to see their artwork displayed on the sides of the receptacles. The scenes were painted in acrylic paint then blown up and reproduced on a larger scale as part of a city initiative to bring more art and color to areas around Newport.

**Davin Keck, sixth grade Newport Middle School**

The project is part of the city’s initiative to enhance beautification efforts that focus on public art and cleanliness.

“This project touches on multiple things woven throughout this focus area – it brings artwork to our community, it promotes cleanliness and we believe it helps increase community pride because our kids designed them,” said Willow Ryon, the city’s beautification and tourism program coordinator.

The 14 are scheduled to be placed around town, with 10 in the city center, two by the Performing Arts Center, and two in South Beach.

— Shayla Escudero/Lincoln Chronicle