Storm Drain Artists Sought

The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is seeking artists to paint 12 storm drains in Washington and Benton counties.

The Upstream Art project, in its third year, is designed to remind residents water flowing into storm drains ends up in area waterways.

“Whatever you see in the street — cigarette butts, leaking oil, antifreeze, pet waste — all of those pollutants, plus whatever the water picks up as it washes across parking lots and roadways, goes directly in its untreated state straight into our local streams,” Jane Maginot, program associate, said in a news release Thursday. “Our hope is that the art will help raise awareness of the purpose of these drains and help reduce the amount of pollution returned directly to the environment.”

Five storm drains in Fayetteville, four in Springdale, two in Bentonville and one in Bella Vista will be painted.

They will add to 19 drains painted with designs depicting fish, butterflies, flowers and messages.

For an application packet, go to nwaupstreamart.com or contact Maginot at 479-444-1755 or [email protected]. Applications must be received by March 14.

A reception for potential artists is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Fayetteville Underground, 101 W. Mountain St. Project representatives and past artists will be on hand to answer questions.

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