Storm Drain Art

Goshen's storm drain art projects seek to raise awareness about the connection between storm drains, urban stormwater runoff, and pollution in our waterways. Many people do not know that most of our storm drains in Goshen connect directly to local waterways like Rock Run Creek or the Elkhart River. This means pollutants in our roadways can be washed into our drains and pollute our streams and rivers. 

Check out Goshen's drain art murals with this interactive map! Full screen can be accessed at: https://arcg.is/8imSv  

2022 Project - Dreaming of Clean Water
Submissions CLOSED

Help the City of Goshen transform storm drains into works of public art! This year's theme:
Dreaming of Clean Water: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

How to Apply

1. Attend the optional information session on Thursday, February 17 at 7pm at the Reith Interpretive Center (See Posted Presentation Below) to find out more about the goals of the project and hear what the selection committee will be looking for.
2. Submit your design ideas and biographical information to the Goshen Stormwater Department (stormwater@goshencity.com) by the March 18 submission deadline. See the submission rules below.  
3. Look for a note that you have been selected as one of our 10 artists and find out the location of your drain! Paint materials will be provided by the Stormwater Department. Happy painting!
4. Receive your sponsored artist thank you gift of $200 and celebrate with us at an unveiling on Saturday, June 11 from 10am to 2pm in Mill Street Park!

Submission Rules

To be considered, artists must submit design proposals before midnight on March 18, 2022. All proposals should be submitted via email to stormwater@goshencity.com.

Submissions should include

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Brief description of art training or experience (demonstrated capacity to produce the artwork)
• A short biography (max. 200 words)
• Information about your proposed design
• A title for your design
• Proposal sketch in color with approximate dimensions (note, artwork should not cover the entire sidewalk to prevent slip hazards)

All applicants must be at least 18 years old or have both parental permission and a supervising local art teacher. Designs should avoid depicting invasive plant or animal species. All painting will be limited to the concrete sidewalk and curb and should not extend onto the street or the storm drain casting.

Artists will be selected through a local committee process and notified at the beginning of April. All selections are final. Entries become the property of the City for use in promotional materials and selected artists' entry information may be used to promote the project.

Storm drain art is temporary in nature. The Stormwater Department applies a sealant in hopes that the art can be preserved for at least one-year weather conditions permitting. Art may be removed for City projects or future storm drain art projects.

Additional Theme and Design Considerations

Past Projects

2016 Project - Check out the work of 2016's selected artists.

2019 Project Examples

 Hop to the Solution by Jessica King sponsored by Psi Iota Xi

 Respect the Drain by Rachel Neff sponsored by Goshen Floral & Gift Shop, Inc.

 Only Rain Down the Drain by Rachel Potsander sponsored by My Community My Water LLC

 All Drains Lead to the River by ADEC Inc. sponsored by Abonmarche

 Our Rivers are a Resource Worth Protecting by Katelyn Conley sponsored by Roger Miller, State Farm agent

 Clean Water, Beautiful Life - Holly Hathaway sponsored by Maple City Health Care Center

 Save Water, Save Life, Millie the Millrace Serpent, by Tavi and Dteban Mounsithiraj sponsored by Goshen Floor Mat Corp. 

 Clean Water Starts with You by Katarina Antal sponsored by Jeremy, Maija, Boden, and Pippin Stutsman

 Be Green, Keep it Clean by Rachel Weaver sponsored by Mutual Bank

 You Drop It, I Drink It by Katelyn Pedler sponsored by My Community My Water LLC

2022 Drain Art Sponsorship Pledge