April 22, 2021 - With more than 20,000 storm drains throughout our community, drains are the neighborhood gateways to our rivers. Unfortunately, millions of pounds of trash, debris and other pollutants flow into our streams, creeks and rivers, each year. The clean rivers we all want begin with Clean Drains Fort Wayne, the new three-year collaboration between Friends of the Rivers and Fort Wayne City Utilities. Initiative founders are calling on every resident to Be River SmART.
An interactive, creative and educational initiative, Clean Drains Fort Wayne will engage the community to become protective stewards of our rivers by ensuring nothing, but clean rainwater enters our city's storm drains.
The initial activation project for Clean Drains Fort Wayne will be a 2021 storm-drain street-art mural project. Local artists will create imaginative and eye-catching drain-art murals that cleverly incorporate a storm drain into the finished design. These artworks will also serve to convey the message: Be River SmART—only YOU can protect Fort Wayne's rivers!
Call for Artists: If you are interested in participating as a selected artist for this initiative, please follow instructions available at Clean Drains Fort Wayne: Be River SmART. Artists must be 18 or older and install their work the week of September 10-19. Friends of the Rivers will provide materials for eco-friendly installation as well as a stipend for artists work. Application deadline: July 10, 2021.
The first-year initiative of Clean Drains Fort Wayne will culminate with a free Be River SmART: Clean Drains Fort Wayne Fest to be held on World Rivers Day, Sunday, September 26, 2021, Promenade Park.
For more information visit: https://forfw.org/clean-drains-fort-wayne/