Artists will have a chance to exhibit their talents on an unusual public forum: the storm drains of Washington and Benton counties, thanks to the 2013 UpStream Art project. 2013 marks the second year for the project, which is part of the educational mission for stormwater educators in northwest Arkansas.

“UpStream Art gives artists a chance to for expression in semi-permanent public art as a series of a small-scale outdoor storm drain murals,” said Jane Maginot, extension urban stormwater educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The point is to help people understand that storm drains are not the same as a city’s sanitary sewer system. Any materials that go into the storm drain goes directly back to nature.

“Cigarette butts, leaking vehicle fluids -- all of those pollutants, plus whatever the water picks up as it washes across parking lots and roadways, goes raw and directly into our local streams and drinking water sources such as Beaver Lake,” Maginot said.

“Our hope is that the art will help raise awareness of the purpose of these drains and help reduce the amount of pollution returned directly to the environment,” Maginot said.

This year, artists are being asked to incorporate the message “Drains to Creek” somewhere in the art. Also available for artists will be a two-inch square vinyl QR Code that can either be incorporated into the design or will be placed next to the art.

The project includes 15 drains in Benton and Washington counties. Pictures and more details on specific storm drains, plus applications and requirements can be found at http://nwaupstreamart.wetpaint.com.

For more information, contact Jane Maginot, Washington county extension office, 479-444-1755, or by email at jmaginot@uaex.edu.