On Friday July 14, 2017, the Drain Smart Committee announced the winners of third annual People’s Choice awards on THV11. This past spring, artists were selected to paint murals on 18 storm drains to promote water quality. Following the Meet the Artists Celebration on June 13 where guests voted in person, the public had 30 days to vote online for their favorite art. Over 3,200 votes were cast. Cash prizes totaling $1,000 were awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.
The winners of the second annual People's Choice awards were:
1st: Callie Matthews, Delta at Dawn
2nd: Kayleigh Sagar, Clean Water for Gilly
3rd: Easterseals Arkansas Center for Training and Wellness Art Class, Arkansas Ivory Billed Woodpecker Through Stained Glass
The Drain Smart Committee congratulations and appreciates all the artists who made this year a success. Checkout all 18 murals.
Drain Smart is an engaging public-education/environmental program using art to communicate the importance of reducing the litter that flows into our storm drains. Like most cities, Little Rock’s storm-drains flow directly into our streams, therefore trash on the street quickly becomes trash in our rivers, streams and wetlands.
Over the last three years, conservation-themed murals have been painted on 56 storm drains throughout Little Rock. The 2017 designated mural locations were grouped into four areas: The Promenade at Chenal, 12th Street between Jonesboro and Brown, Kavanaugh Blvd. in Hillcrest and The Heights, and Bass Pro/Outlet Mall. In addition, two murals were painted at the Little Rock Audubon Center apart from the Drain Smart project.
Solving Fourche Creek's litter problem is a large undertaking. Volunteers continue to remove tons of litter from our urban watershed. Drain Smart hopes that public education will lighten that load.
