Artists Across the Country Discover a New Muse - PODS Moving and Storage Containers

Online, August 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - A most unusual trend is sweeping the country. Artists, art curators and arts promoters from across the U.S. are discovering that PODS® containers are useful for much more than moving and storage; they are the perfect vehicles to promote the arts.

From coast to coast, art enthusiasts are utilizing the sturdy white PODS® containers to house art exhibits and, in some cases, literally turning them in to large-scale artwork. Over the past six months, PODS arts exhibits have popped up in Texas, Florida, Kentucky and California.

The popular trend will make its way to Ventura Sept. 9 - 11 for Paint Ventura, a free-to-the-public community outdoor art event. Throughout the weekend, a special exhibit will be on display at Ventura's Downtown Mini Park, the 300 block of Main St., featuring several donated PODS® containers that have been transformed into public art.

Jennifer Livia, Paint Ventura organizer and co-owner of Ventura's downtown Red Brick Gallery, is excited to showcase the artistic possibilities that PODS® containers present.

Before unveiling Paint Ventura to the public, Livia plans to meet with Tom Ryan, president and CEO of PODS Enterprises, Inc., and give him a first-hand look at how adaptable a PODS® container can be.

Ryan, who since 2008 has led the PODS international network of 168 company-owned and independent franchises in 48 U.S. States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, will be in town to meet with local Tri-Counties PODS franchise owner, Steve Yapp.

"When I look at a PODS® container, I see the perfect blank bright white canvas," said Livia. "Leading up to and during Paint Ventura, you'll find me, some of my fellow artists and a talented group of Ventura High School advanced art students using paint and creativity to transform the PODS® containers into colorful unique 3-dimensional art."

Paint Ventura, which kicks off on Friday evening, Sept. 9, and runs throughout the weekend, Sept. 10 - 11, will highlight more than 100 plein air artists lining the streets and filling the parks to create, teach and sell one-of-a-kind artwork.

"Using PODS® containers for mobile art exhibits is a unique trend that we love to see catching on across the country," said Yapp. "We are honored to contribute to Paint Ventura and proud to support our community's talented local artists."

For more information on Paint Ventura, go to www.PaintVentura.com, visit them on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/paintventura, or call Jen Livia or Phyllis Gubins, Paint Ventura co-organizers and Red Brick Gallery co-owners, 805-643-6400.

About PODS Tri-Counties
Steve Yapp is the owner of three Tri-Counties PODS franchises that serve residents and businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Dedicated to the local community, Yapp's franchises have donated hundreds of PODS® containers to nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Los Angeles counties since opening their doors in 2005.

A partial list of recipients include: Boys & Girls Clubs, FOOD Share of Ventura County, Casa Pacifica, Toys 4 Tots, California Strawberry Festival, Ojai Music Festival, Relay for Life, C.H.P. Holiday Toy Drive, Salvation Army, Santa Maria Good Samaritan, Oxnard Downtown Management District, Boy Scouts of Ventura County, California Visitors Center, Simi Valley Days, the Oxnard Salsa Festival, and Catholic Charities.

Founded in 1998, PODS Enterprises, Inc. currently provides moving and storage services to more than 250 million consumers in 48 U.S. states, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom through its company-owned and independent franchise network. To date, the PODS network has completed more than 320,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded 1.8 million deliveries and has more than 143,000 PODS® containers in service.

PODS® secure containers are constructed of a steel frame and are available in three sizes: approximately 7-by-7-by-8 feet, 12-by-8-by-8 feet and 16-by-8-by-8 feet. The 12-foot and 16-foot containers have been tested to withstand winds of more than 110-mph when partially loaded. Newer PODS® containers have the same steel frame construction but are completely recyclable panels made of steel skins and a high-density polyethylene core.

For more information, go to: www.mylocalpods.com.