Delaware artists should apply for rain barrel painting contest by March 18
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Watershed Stewardship is now accepting applications from Delaware artists for participation in a rain barrel painting contest aimed at educating Delawareans on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce rainwater runoff and improve water quality. Artists selected will be invited to paint creative designs on rain barrels that will be prominently displayed in public areas.
To enter the contest, adult artists must complete and submit an application by Friday, March 18, which includes providing a description and preliminary sketch of their design. DNREC will choose participants in the contest based on their application and design ideas. Once contest participants have been selected, they will have five weeks to finish their painting and submit final photographs and information requested.
Participating artists must be willing to give of their time and must provide materials including paint and brushes or other application tools, an interpretation of their work, and a short biography.
In exchange, DNREC’s Watershed Assessment and Management Section will provide a fully assembled 55-gallon plastic rain barrel with two coats of primer applied, plus top coat. This year’s barrels have been donated by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Coca-Cola.
Finished rain barrel designs will be posted online for public voting and also displayed at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover from Wednedsay, June 1 through Tuesday, July 19. Five finalists will be chosen by online voting at www.delawarewatersheds.org. All five finalists will receive prizes. A professional judging panel will choose the grand prize winner, whose barrel will be displayed at the DNREC Building at the 2016 Delaware State Fair and presented to the governor on Governor’s Day, Thursday, July 28. The winning barrel will then be installed at Woodburn, the governor’s residence in Dover.
To download applications, go to www.delawarewatersheds.org. Completed applications should be sent by close of business Friday, March 18 to: DNREC Watershed Assessment and Management Section; c/o Sara Wozniak, 2430 Old County Road, Newark, DE 19702.
For more information, contact Sara Wozniak at sara.wozniak@state.de.us or 302-382-0335.
