The goal of this first annual art project is to highlight the partnership between environmental stewardship and the arts in Lynchburg. "Teaming up with Water Resources to bring more public art to Lynchburg was a natural fit for us," said Jennifer Woofter, Board President of the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities. "By installing original art on storm drains, we help continue to make Downtown a vibrant and fun place to visit. Raising awareness about the importance of clean waterways is icing on the cake."
Each original storm drain mural will feature a theme inclusive of the James River, environmental protection, or storm-water pollution. With the overarching theme, “Only Rain Down the Drain,” ArtStorm hopes to bring playful awareness to the need to protect our storm drains from litter, harmful substances (like oil, gasoline, fertilizers, or power-washing chemicals), and debris (grass clippings, leaves, and gravel).
“Everything that goes down a storm drain goes straight to the nearest creek,” said Erin Hawkins, Storm-water Program Manager for Lynchburg Water Resources. “By raising awareness of this issue we are protecting the water quality of our streams. No matter what draws us to the river, we each have a role to play in keeping our streams clean and safe.”
27th of April, 2018, Lynchburg Water Resources and the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities (JRCAH) sent out an open artist invite looking for submissions for designs for storm drain art in downtown Lynchburg. The whole purpose of the project is to raise awareness about the importance of storm-water drains in keeping the James River clean. They picked seven locations throughout downtown Lynchburg to install painted murals that embodied the following themes:
* Stormwater Pollution: "Only Rain Down the Drain;"
* Environmental Protection: Why clean water is important for everyone;
* James River/Lynchburg Ecosystem: Local wildlife/habitat, natural beauty.
My submission to the open invite
Mudpuppy Mural (Details)
Water Droplet on the sidewalk covering spilled paint.
Detail of the Mudpuppy's Eye
A stone
Detail of the vegetation.
Detail of the fish bones and shells found on the farside, facing the street.
Detail of some leaves.
Part of the banner painted on the road. "Protect our wildlife -- #OnlyRainDownTheDrain" 2O18.
A photo of the entire mural as seen from the sidewalk.
