Reposted from the Burlington Free Press
Calling all artists! This September, Burlington’s streets will come alive with color during the city’s first ever storm drain mural project. Chittenden County Stream Team (CCST) will be accepting art concepts for this stormwater awareness campaign between now and Sept. 6.
The purpose of the mural project will be to raise public awareness about stormwater runoff. When it rains, trash and pollutants on our streets are carried into drains and directly into nearby streams or Lake Champlain. By painting Burlington’s storm drains, residents and passerbys will learn that that these systems are connected to the waterways, and will see art adorning city streets in the process.
Of the art concepts received, four will be selected by a public art review panel comprised of representatives from CCST, Burlington Public Works Commission staff, and Burlington City Arts. Drains will be chosen in different areas of the City in advance by CCST. Each artist will receive a $500 stipend upon successful completion of their mural. In order to be selected the following conditions must be met:
• Artist must paint be able and available to paint their mural on Saturday, Sept. 24 (rain date Saturday Oct. 1). Artists will have the option to paint their mural solo or allow volunteers to assist them.
•Artwork must contain a storm water awareness message. It can be “The Drain is Just for Rain, I Lead to Lake Champlain” — or your own, unique message.
•Artists will be responsible for all paints, brushes, and supplies needed to paint their mural. Must coordinate with CCST staff to ensure the correct type of paint and supplies are used.
All drains are the traditional square drains visible on streets and adjacent to sidewalks.
The selection committee will utilize the following points system to choose final four designs:
1. Mural concept clearly conveys and communicates the importance of keeping waterways clean and/or not dumping down drains – 5 pts
2. Mural concept contains a catchy, environmental message – 5 pts
3. Mural can easily be painted within the five square foot area surrounding the drain, and concept utilizes side-walk space – 5 pts
To see examples of other storm drain mural projects, visit: https://nwaupstreamart.com/
To submit your art, mail to 300 Interstate Corporate Center, Suite 200, Williston, VT 05495 or send a jpeg version of your art to holly@winooskirnrcd.org. Concepts must be postmarked or submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7. For questions, please also contact Holly at the above email or call 802-288-8155 ext 104.
The Chittenden County Stream Team is a project to engage citizens across an eight-town area (Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski) to implement projects to reduce nonpoint source pollution and stormwater volume at the local level. The project utilizes social networking tools to form a cadre of concerned citizens and professionals interested in hands-on activities to reduce the harmful effects of stormwater.