Local artists are putting the finishing touches on pieces for the annual Art in Public Places exhibit in Downtown Stamford.

This year's exhibit is interactive and for the first time, Stamford Downtown Special Services District is joining music with art.

Twenty-five fully functional pianos will bring some color and sound to the city's main streets this summer.

"I've been painting all my life. I've painted all kinds of different things, so I thought a piano would be very fun. Never done a piano," said Diana Smith.

Smith is one of 25 local painters transforming the pianos. Each has a different theme and story.

One is called Playful Lilies, another is wild and colorful and Smith's is dots.

"It's psychedelic, 1970s," said Smith.

Each piano was donated to Stamford Downtown and is now in the process of being transformed into an original work.

Once done, the pianos will be displayed for viewing and playing by area residents and visitors. The hope is to bring some light to what's been a dark year.

The pianos will be on display from June through September. After that, they'll be auctioned off with a portion of the proceeds going to Project Music.

"Every year we try and bring all little joy and surprise to Downtown by bringing sculptures and laying them out around the city," said David Kooris, president of Stamford Downtown Special Services District. "And this year we're trying something a little different where the sculptures are interactive and involve music."

The pianos are fully functional - you can take a seat and play.

Once the exhibit opens, people can download Ottocast, a free app with a map and audio tour of the different pianos.

Downtown Stamford also hopes to bring in local musicians to perform for the public.