Grand prize winner and youth finalists announced for rain barrel art contests
Rain barrels that won distinction from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for the artists whose creativity went into them in the Division of Watershed Stewardship's Rain Barrel Painting Contest have been announced and are now on display at the Delaware Agricultural Museum. Preeminent among them is this year's grand prize-winning entry in the adult division by Nathan Zimmerman.
DNREC sponsors the rain barrel painting contest and a youth competition annually to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce rainwater runoff and improve water quality. Twenty participants were chosen to give their artistic touch to the contest based on their applications, design ideas and site placements for their barrels. Individuals or teams chosen to participate in the contest each received a fully assembled, primed 55-gallon plastic barrel, topcoat and bubble wrap; the artists supplied their own paint, brushes and other materials or tools. They were given five weeks to finish their artistry and submit final photographs and information about their work, as well as a short biography of themselves.
Zimmerman's grand-prize winner, "Early to Rise at Sundown," depicting a barred owl perched over water will be on display at the DNREC building during the Delaware State Fair and finally will be in use at Woodburn, the governor's residence in Dover. Zimmerman, an artist from Milton, also provided narrative about his winning rain barrel: "Often heard caterwauling from the tree tops, the barred owl is a resident of treed swamps and mature forests and is the perfect embodiment of a watershed warrior. Whether while working at Trap Pond State Park or hunting along Bundicks Branch the barred owl has always put a smile on my face when the 'noise' starts. The background was inspired by the countless sunsets I've watched while hunting in the marshes along the Broadkill River."
Other finalists include Diane Buckingham for "Holding the Key." Buckingham says, "My design illustrates the flow of water through all of earth's biosystems, the interconnectedness and interdependency of all life on water, with man ultimately holding the key to its health or detriment." Lynn Patrice Farina won recognition for "Butterflies and Flowers." Farina says, "I painted my rain barrel depicting Delaware native plants and butterflies. I painted watering cans on the rain barrel to show how a rain barrel can be used to water plants in an economic and environmentally friendly way. Native flowers painted on the rain barrel include awned meadow beauty, swamp rose mallow, nodding bur marigold, trumpet creeper, cardinal flower and showy aster. Native butterflies painted on the rain barrel include viceroy, kings hairstreaks, clouded sulpher and orangetips." Bruce McKinney gained acclaim for "Sweetwater."
He says, "Sweetwater represents the needs for humans to incorporate this system in your home or business for wildlife. According to the National Wildlife Federation, humans extract water from the ground and as a result, the water table may drop, damaging habitats miles away. Here it is represented by a raccoon in your empty rain barrel in search of water." Donna Reed was recognized for "Playing in the Rain." She says, "Playing in the Rain evokes the joys of childhood and an innocent appreciation of nature. Featuring two children splashing puddles in a field of flowers, this barrel was painted in the rain to help blend the colors and cause the drips to run down. Rain water was used to thin the paints. Eight rain poems were written by Wilson School students as part of a poetry unit and in support of our school garden."
Youth finalists
In the youth division five finalists have been chosen from online voting, with the grand prize winner to be voted on and announced at the Delaware State Fair. Youth finalists included Delmarva Christian School (Sophia Birl, Savannah Stewart, Chloe Wilson) for "Reign of the Sea." They chose an underwater design to inspire people to help save waterways.
Maclary Elementary, Newark – fourth grade (Alec Ciesinski, Owen Reazor, Alex Ozor) for "United States of Water." Their barrel symbolizes America using a collage of national symbols. Images were changed to show the importance of conserving water. The wings of the eagle represent the American flag, and each of the 50 stars is represented as a water droplet. The Statue of Liberty is holding a simple water bottle instead of a torch.
Maclary Elementary, Newark – fourth grade (Jordan Short, Katrina Endres, Ella Baldwin, Olivia Kessler) for "Nature Preservers." The barrel represents nature's beauty with and without water. The team members realize they have the privilege of having almost unlimited water. The environment becomes less beautiful without enough water. Using rain barrels gives back to the community.
Rachel Santos from Phillip C. Showell Elementary in Selbyville for "Mrs. Minion." Santos says, "All of my friends talk about minions. I know that everyone loves minions, so that is why I drew Mrs. Minion."
Kara Scarangella from St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia for "Tiki - H2O Progenitor." She says, "My water barrel represents a Tiki Totem Pole showing a water god with the word 'water' within its mouth. This uses the Polynesian culture to show a Tiki - H2O progenitor of water for the people and to show how to use it in a responsible way. Inspiration used for this water barrel is the totem pole in Bethany."
For more information, go to www.delawarewatersheds.org and search Rain Barrel Art Contest.
