Elgin public art campaign coming to a storm drain near you
Time is running out for neighborhoods to get in on Elgin's storm drain public art project.
The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission announced the project in March, with an eye toward raising awareness about stormwater and storm drains as part of its New Works Program. Forty drains located on streets and curbs around the city will be painted.
Ten winning artists have been chosen and now the city is looking for a few more neighborhoods that want their drains decorated.
Amanda Harris, assistant to the city manager for special projects and the arts, said the commission has chosen a little more than half the sites and that applications are "still trickling in," but there's still time for neighborhoods to get in on the program.
"We're really excited by what we got," Harris said of the artist submissions. The 10 artists were chosen from more than 50 entries, and each design can be used in several locations.
The artists will paint the storm drains themselves and the "neighborhood ambassadors" who nominated the drains will get to choose which art they get. Harris said one of the fun things about the project is that some of the artists are kids. "We're going to partner them with local professional artists so they get a little pseudo internship and some real life experience."
The painting is expected to begin at the end of July and finish some time in August. And while storm drains might not seem like a natural canvas for art, Harris said many Elgin residents are excited to be a part of the program.
"I feel that it is important to support the arts however you can," said neighborhood ambassador Rick Gemelli in his application. "This would be on a prominent corner in our neighborhood that is a bus stop for multiple age students who can enjoy the artwork. I believe this will be great for the neighborhood and hopefully make people smile." Two drains will be decorated in the Shadow Hill subdivision where Gemelli lives.
Residents who want to see a storm drain painted in their neighborhood can apply at cityofelgin.org/drainart.