CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Charlottesville Department of Public Utilities officially will unveil the three winners of the Storm Drain Art Contest at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at McIntire Park.
In fact, City Utilities Outreach Program Director Ryan Willis had kept the location under wraps of where the drains would be painted until Monday morning.
The three drains are along the sidewalk between a parking lot above the front softball fields.
Willis said the contest inspiration came from other cities they’ve seen the storm drains painted.
“We were inspired to inject a little energy into our stormwater division, and bring some awareness to stormwater pollution prevention,” Willis told Cville Right Now.
“What better way to do that than to have literally have a creative piece of art that stands out.”
The contest idea came up in the context of city consideration for having more municipal artwork scattered throughout.
“You know we have other murals and art installations in town, so why not make the storm drains a part of that,” Willis said.
The contest opened last fall to two categories for community members to participate… youth ages 12-to-17… and adults ages 18-and-up, and the theme is “Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain”.
The three winners have been awarded $500 gift certificates.
