CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Three stormwater drains in the city stand to get a makeover in coming months as voting has begun for winning designs in the Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest.
“We were inspired from other municipalities that have these types of programs in place, and decided that’s the perfect fit for Charlottesville,” Department of Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator Ryan Willis told Cville Right Now about this art contest. “We have other murals and art installations in town, so why not make the storm drains a part of that?”
The Department of Utilities encourages the community to join the effort in stormwater pollution prevention by taking part in Fan Favorite voting through March 9.
With two submission categories, Youth (ages 12-17) and Open (ages 18+), over 25 designs were submitted, and are now vying to be painted on one of three storm drain inlets in Charlottesville.
“These art installations will be a visual reminder of the interconnectedness between our daily actions and the health of our local waterways, serving to engage, educate, and motivate the community to prevent pollutants from entering streams, creeks, and the Rivanna River through storm drains,” Willis said.
“Really the sky’s the limit in terms of what you want to put on there as long as it’s in the parameters of our theme… and, of course, make sure it’s appropriate for all ages and respectful of everyone,” Willis said about entries the city began soliciting last November.
A total of three winning designs will be chosen, according to a Department of Utilities release.
The Department of Utilities has assembled a panel of judges to select two winning designs, one from the Youth Category and one from the Open Category, with the third Fan Favorite winner selected by the community via online voting through March 9.
Each winner will paint their design on one of three functioning storm drain inlets as well as receive a $500 Visa gift card each.
