![While some Uptown Village residents and businesses have complained that there's not enough parking along Main Street during peak times, there are often spots available that are only a few blocks away -- and many of them are available during nonpeak business hours.]()
When it comes to keeping pollution out of the local stormwater system, officials like to say "only rain goes down the drain." But now there are plans in place to use art to promote that message along Main Street in Vancouver.
The Vancouver Watersheds Alliance is seeking artists to paint about 40 murals on Main Street storm drains between 23rd Street and Sixth Street.
Dubbed the Main Street mural project, organizers hope bringing art to the gutter will capture the attention of Vancouver residents and make them think more critically about what gets washed down the storm drain.
Vancouver's stormwater runoff drains into the Columbia River or Burnt Bridge Creek. In some cases stormwater runoff infiltrates into the ground, according to the city's surface water management team.
"(The art) creates public awareness around water health," said Sunrise O'Mahoney, executive director of The Alliance.
The Alliance has put a call out to local artists, asking them to submit proposals for a mural they'd want to paint on a storm drain. Submissions must be made by Aug. 8. Each submission must be approved by a selection committee before artists get the go-ahead.
Mural designs must have a local theme with a message focused on protecting the environment and preventing water pollution. The message "Drains to the River" in English or Spanish needs to be incorporated somewhere into the design.
Although there are about 40 drains that could be painted, the final total will depend on how many projects are approved.
After the submissions are chosen, artists will receive a storm drain location, a photo of the drain they'll paint and its exact dimensions.
Artists will take to the streets on Sept. 18 to start and finish their project during a 10-hour painting marathon. People of any age can paint, but anyone under 13 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
"It's a volunteer event incorporating community work, art and outdoor education," said O'Mahoney.
In October, the murals will then be featured as part of the First Friday art walk.
The project is a collaboration between the Watershed Alliance, the Uptown Village Association, Vancouver Downtown Association, the Clark County Mural Society and the Arnada, Esther Short and Hough neighborhood associations.
To get an more information or to download an application, visit:
www.vancouverwatersheds.org.
