The Lafayette Consolidated Government Environmental Quality Division has extended its call for artists for the annual Storm Drain Art contest until March 1, 2022. The contest is two-fold — to increase awareness about the connection between storm drains and the Vermilion River, and to highlight public art. Designs should depict an environmental theme.

Sixty percent of water pollution originates on land, and there are more than 1,000 storm drains and more than 300 tributaries in Lafayette Parish that lead to the Vermilion River. Storm drains are not trash cans. Litter and trash negatively impact water quality and harm aquatic life.

The four winning designs will be painted on storm drains at the Girard Park Recreation Center, E Alexander Street, South Louisiana Community College, and TownFolk Victory Garden. In addition to these locations, students in grades 7-12 can participate to have the winning design painted on a drain near the school or the nearest park.

Click here for the application, guidelines, and still photos and a map of previous design locations. All artists will be compensated after the installation is complete.

The Storm Drain Art project is funded in part by the Environmental Quality Department’s education fund and the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association. The contest is made possible through the support and cooperation of Acadiana Center for the Arts and Acadiana Open Channel.

For more information, contact Regulatory Compliance Supervisor Jackie Vargas-Beitia at 337-291-8547 or email environmentalquality@lafayettela.gov.