2^nd Year Artists Hit the Streets to Paint Clean Water Message

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 4, 2016)—The designs have been chosen, and artists are taking to the storm drains to begin their murals for the second year of Drain Smart, a public art program aimed at raising awareness, education and protection of local water resources.

Central Arkansas Drain Smart is an engaging public art, education and conservation program utilizing art to communicate the link between street litter, storm drains and water quality. Drain Smart gives local artists the opportunity to express themselves with semi-permanent public art in the form of a small-scale mural placed on high-traffic storm drains. The murals draw attention to this usually unnoticed piece of infrastructure so passing observers stop and think about where the trash flows after it enters a drain. Once people understand that trash flows untreated to rivers and streams, they are more conscious in reducing pollution. The project has a positive impact on both local public art and water quality.

This year, Drain Smart received more than 45 art designs from local artists competing for 18 selected locations, and we are proud to announce our 2016 selected muralists:  

John Van Horn, Prinn Vandegrift, Madeline Chandler, Emmanuel Rice, Melissa Conley, Dondi Warren, Sarah Higgins, Monica Penny, Jessica McSpadden, Linda Haycook, Lorria Eubanks, Scott Mattson, Tanya Holliefield, Larry Crane, Jordan Karpe, Mandi Houke and Terre Tollett, Kaitlin Rhodes, Erica Vanhaute, Chloe Beall, Savannah Fischer, Lauren Joseph, Cate Willis, Rachel Handloser, Catherine Dobry, Marianne Nolley and Marcella Melandri.

This year’s designated mural locations are grouped into three areas: The Promenade at Chenal, Center Street between 4^th and 7^th, and Main Street from 15^th to 29^th. Artists will receive a $150 stipend, and basic paint supplies are provided.

All art will be completed by June 5. Artists will be eligible for an additional final prize to be given to the winners chosen by public voting, which will launch at a reception June 14.

For more information on this project visit www.drain-smart.org

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