VOTE HERE for your favorite storm drain design! 

Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest!

Charlottesville Utilities invites the community to put on their thinking caps and grab their paint brushes to creatively illustrate the importance of stormwater pollution prevention and submit artwork communicating the theme, "Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain", for a chance to paint their design on one of three stormwater drain inlets. With two submission categories, Youth (ages 12-17) and Open (ages 18+), this is a great opportunity to visually communicate an educational and inspirational message on how and why pollutant- free stormwater is essential to the health and vitality of the City's creeks, streams, and rivers. These art installations will be a visual reminder of the interconnectedness between our daily actions and the health of the City's waterways. Designed to help engage, educate, and motivate the community to  prevent pollutants from entering our local waterways through storm drains, this artwork will serve the community for years to come. Three winners will paint their artwork on one of three stormwater drain inlets, as well as receive a $500 Visa gift card each.  

Entry Period: November 17, 2025 to February 9, 2026 

Contest Rules 

All entries must convey the theme "Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain". 

• Contest is open to all community members aged 12 years or older. Submissions from those under the age of eighteen (18) will require a parent or legal  guardian signature to be accepted.
• Entries must be the work of (1) individual if submitted by someone who is over the age of eighteen (18). 
• Entries from those age twelve (12) - seventeen (17) have the option to submit a collaborative entry. One one (1) submission per individual or collaborative team is allowed. 
• Original artwork only. Entries submitted with copyrighted characters or images, and AI-generated art will not be accepted. 
• Artwork must be appropriate for all ages.
• Artwork must not advertise any product, company, service, religious affiliation, or political organization or view.
• Artwork must be submitted in full color, easily replicated on a concrete surface, and can be adapted to the dimensions of the storm drain inlet. 
• Please use the storm drain template to create your artwork. If your design includes the area surrounding the storm drain, please indicate that on your submission. Artwork may include the street, sidewalk, or both. 
• Three (3) winning designs will be chosen. A panel of judges selected by Utilities will select two (2) winning designs - one (1) design from the Youth Category and one (1) design from the Open Category. Utilities reserves the right to select more than one (1) entry from either category. A third (3rd) Fan Favorite winner will be selected by online voting from the top entries starting on February 16, 2026 to March 9, 2026.

Click here for complete Contest Rules and Guidelines (PDF)

Submission Process

• Submissions can be made digitally through the electronic upload portal (JPEG/JPG, PNG, PDF, or GIF files), by mail to Charlottesville Utilities, 305 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, or in-person at the City's Utilities Administration Building located at 305 4th Street NW. 
• The official entry form must be attached to all submissions.
• Submissions must be made by 5PM on Monday, February 9, 2026 

Looking for inspiration? Check out the storm drain art contests in these cities: Lynchburg, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, Sioux Falls, SD, Lubbock, TX

Official Contest Submission Form (PDF)

Official Storm Drain Template (PDF)

Questions? Contact Ryan Willis, Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator, at 434-970-3686 or utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov