The Storm Drain Art Contest is back for its third year! Lafayette Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Environmental Quality (EQ) Division has partnered with local organizations to create the Storm Drain Art contest. This contest is a way to educate the public on the issue of storm drain pollutants while also creating unique public art. EQ plans to collaborate with local artists to paint select storm drains in honor of one of Lafayette’s greatest natural resources, the Vermilion River.

As part of EQ’s water quality improvement efforts, the project is a fun and colorful way to remind the community of  the drains’ final destination, raise awareness about the importance of keeping streets clean and brighten up a few of Lafayette’s high-pedestrian trafficked drains. According to EQ Manager Bess Foret, “We are excited about the third year of our storm drain art program. It is such a unique way to educate about stormwater and the connection from the stormdrains to our waterways. “

A total of five drains will be painted this year for the program. Four drains will be chosen through public submission and one through the new student category.

“All the artists who participate superbly showcase the ‘Only Rain Down the Drain’ message. And, we now have a specific student category which will get local schools involved too,” says Foret.

The call for artists is open now through March 13, 2020.The final artists’ designs are intended to raise awareness that pollutants on land can impact the water quality of the Vermilion since storm drains are where “the river meets the road.”

Applications, project guidelines, and locations of the preselected storm drains can be found at HERE.

The Storm Drain Art Program is made possible by the EQ Education Fund, Project Front Yard, the Bayou Vermilion District and Acadiana Center for the Arts.

For more information contact Jackie at 337.291.8547, visit LafayetteLA.gov or email EnvironmentalQuality@LafayetteLA.gov.