FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2026

Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest Fan Favorite Voting February 16 – March 9

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Voting for the Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest is underway! The Department of Utilities encourages the community to join the effort in stormwater pollution prevention by taking part in Fan Favorite voting between February 16 and March 9.

A total of three winning designs will be chosen. The Department of Utilities has assembled a panel of judges to select two winning designs, one from the Youth Category and one from the Open Category, with the third Fan Favorite winner selected by the community via online voting between February 16 and March 9. Each winner will paint their design on one of three functioning storm drain inlets as well as receive a $500 Visa gift card each.

With two submission categories, Youth (ages 12-17) and Open (ages 18+), over 25 designs were submitted, and are now vying to be painted on one of three storm drain inlets in Charlottesville. These art installations will be a visual reminder of the interconnectedness between our daily actions and the health of our local waterways, serving to engage, educate, and motivate the community to prevent pollutants from entering streams, creeks, and the Rivanna River through storm drains.

The Department of Utilities extends a big thank you to the artists who submitted their artwork, and made Charlottesville’s first-ever storm drain art contest a great success. The number and variety of thoughtful and creative designs that communicate “Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain”, are sure to make voting for the winners a close competition. Vote for your Fan Favorite design by March 9 at www.charlottesville.gov/stormwater!

Media Contact
 Ryan Willis
 Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator
 City of Charlottesville
 434-970-3686
willisr@charlottesville.gov