Kids will have a chance to create public art at Art in the Park on Wednesday at the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center.

From 1-4 p.m., children of all ages can come to create a mural depicting life on the river. Materials such as sand, shells, bottle caps and sharks’ teeth donated from PotashCorp-Aurora will be used to create the mural.

“We want kids to see themselves as artists,” said Debra Torrence, executive director of Arts on the Pamlico.

The mural will show scenes of river life such as boats, the water and the gazebo on the Washington waterfront, Torrence said.

It will be created on an 8-foot piece of plywood sealed with blue and brown paint, Torrence said. Materials such as beads and metal tubing will give the mural a 3-D look.

Once completed, the mural will be displayed at Arts of the Pamlico’s River Art Show on Aug. 31. The River Art Show showcases art created from trash collected in the Pamlico River.

According to Torrence, this particular program is part of a larger effort to involve children in public art.

“What we’re hoping to do with this is create collaborative art in our community with groups of children and organizations in our community,” she said. “We want to provide access to the arts and cultural events.”

The event will take place in the park surrounding the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center on Seventh Street and is free to children of all ages. In case of rain, it will be moved inside the building.

Art in the Park is sponsored by PotashCorp-Aurora and hosted by Washington Police-Fire Services, Parks and Recreation and Arts of the Pamlico.

“We want kids to grow up and take care of the community and be the next generation of artists and art patrons,” Torrence said. “Our hope is that we’re starting to grow that.”