APAC and Wooden Walls gave the artist a list of animals with a connection to the area, and he selected the family of foxes. While foxes may not be the animal most readily associated with the beach, they are present up and down the Jersey shore and locals will remember the joy sparked by the family of foxes that built their den on the beach in the ruins of the former pavilion at the north end of Ocean Grove boardwalk during the pandemic.

After selecting the animal, the artist’s team provided a list of list of plastic trash items to be collected prior to his team’s arrival. Community businesses, civic and nonprofit organizations and residents stepped up to contribute the trash items from the list. Some items were even trash picked on bulk pick up day. All items were power washed and stored until the artist’s arrival, at which time he and his team cut the plastic pieces and assembled the sculpture.

The project wall was prepared with the installation of a horizontal wooden beam system, designed by a structural engineer, to which the sculpture was attached. The artist finished off the work by spray painting the entire piece, including some areas without plastic.

To get the local community engaged and energized about Bordalo II’s visit, over the summer, APAC and Wooden Walls worked with local assemblage artist Lisa Bagwell to host youth trash art workshops for Inspire Life Inc’s Inc’s Freedom School summer camp at Kula Farm and a trash art making day in the Carousel House that was free and open to the public. These sessions introduced participants to the practice of turning waste into art and sparked dialogue about environmental responsibility, aligning with Bordalo II’s ecological message.