This year Artstorm will look a little different! We are inviting the public to submit designs for three layer stencils that will be installed around the City of Lynchburg near storm drains.
Storm drains bring stormwater (and any pollutants that water picked up) to our creeks and streams, where it enters the James River untreated. Be a Guardian of the James and help remind people Only Rain Down the Drain!
By creating stencils, more community members will be able to have the memorable experience of marking a stormdrain.
Artists can follow the directions below to create and submit their own stencil design.
Three winning designs will then be made into physical stencils by Lynchburg Water Resources and installed by the public on September 8th. Artists are of course welcome to help install their art!
The top three stencil artists will recieve a cash prize of $100 (1st place), $75 (second place), and $50 (third place).
FOR MORE INFO ON DESIGNING A STENCIL AND REGISTERING, VISIT THE LINK HERE.
Contact Morgan.Brazeau@lynchburgva.gov with any questions!
PAST ARTSTORM PROJECTS
ArtStorm Lynchburg 2021
The streets and sidewalks of Lynchburg are connected to the James River by a network of over 15,000 stormwater drains. Whenever it rains, all the water—and whatever else is in the drain; including trash, oil, gasoline, and natural debris—is carried directly to the James River. In order to raise awareness about the importance of stormwater drains in keeping the James River clean, Lynchburg Water Resources and the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities (JRCAH) are inviting artists to submit designs for storm drain art in Lynchburg.
Six locations have been selected in the Wyndhurst neighborhood in Lynchburg and artists are invited to submit paintable designs that embody the following themes:
Stormwater Pollution: “Only Rain Down the Drain;”
Environmental Protection: Why clean water is important for everyone including native plants and animals
James River/Lynchburg Ecosystem: Local wildlife/habitat, natural beauty, community connection
Artists are encouraged to think of creative ways to translate one of these themes into artwork that will reflect the importance of keeping our storm drains free of dirt, trash, oil, grease, pesticides, fertilizer, pet waste, and other contaminants. Additionally, a phrase with the same message as “Only Rain Down the Drain,” must be incorporated into the design.
PREVIOUS YEARS
ArtStorm Lynchburg 2020
Lynchburg Water Resources and the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities (JRCAH) chose six finalists for the ArtStorm Downtown Lynchburg Storm Drain Art Project (#ArtStormLYH):
Six locations were selected near Miller Park in Lynchburg and artists were invited to submit paintable designs that embody the following themes:
Stormwater Pollution: “Only Rain Down the Drain;”
Environmental Protection: Why clean water is important for everyone; “we’re all in this together”
James River/Lynchburg Ecosystem: Local wildlife/habitat, natural beauty; community connection
Lynchburg local History
ArtStorm Lynchburg 2019
Lynchburg Water Resources and the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities (JRCAH) chose six finalists for the ArtStorm Downtown Lynchburg Storm Drain Art Project (#ArtStormLYH):
Each artist’s original work is painted on individual stormwater drains located throughout the 5th street area in downtown Lynchburg.
ArtStorm Lynchburg 2018
Lynchburg Water Resources and the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities (JRCAH) chose seven finalists for the ArtStorm Downtown Lynchburg Storm Drain Art Project (#ArtStormLYH):
Each artist’s original work will be painted on individual stormwater drains located throughout downtown Lynchburg in August 2018 and were showcased during Get Downtown on September 7, 2018.
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 stormwater 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 powerwashing chemicals), and debris (grass clippings, leaves, and gravel).
“Everything that goes down a storm drain goes straight to the nearest creek,” said Erin Hawkins, Stormwater 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.”
LOCATIONS
Seven storm drains throughout Downtown Lynchburg are set to be included in the project.
