Calling All Artists Who Love Our Rivers

Calling All Artists Who Love Our Rivers
Storm Drain Murals: A Lasting Valentine

At a glance:

• A Valentine no one throws away: Artists of all ages are invited to create storm drain murals that show lasting love for our rivers. Sign up now.
• Six years, 100+ murals, one message: Clean Drains Fort Wayne: Be River SmART turns the humble storm drain into public art with a message — Only Rain in the Drain.
• Art sparks action: Murals are just one part of the program. Thousands of residents, from children to seniors, can clean and mark storm drains to protect neighborhoods and waterways.

Fort Wayne, Indiana (2/11/26) — Give a Valentine’s Day gift that shows how much you love our rivers.

If you’re an artist, take your creativity to the streets this August by designing and applying/painting a colorful storm drain mural as part of Clean Drains Fort Wayne: Be River SmArt. The time to get involved is now. Sign up is easy.

Using the message “Only Rain in the Drain”, Clean Drains Fort Way enters its sixth year using art for education and action to raise awareness and enlist every resident in the campaign to safeguard our waterways.

What flows into a storm drain doesn’t disappear. Rainwater carries litter, oil, chemicals and debris from streets and yards directly into local creeks, streams and rivers. When these substances flow into curbside storm drains, they pollute our rivers. Clean Drains makes everyone a guardian of our storm drains — the gateways to our rivers.

Since the program began, artists and volunteers have created more than 100 storm drain murals across Fort Wayne neighborhoods. At the same time, thousands of residents — from small children to seniors — have stepped up to clean and mark storm drains, helping keep pollution out of the creeks, streams and rivers that flow through their communities.

The initiative is led by City Utilities in partnership with Art This Way and Downtown Fort Wayne.

Artists, Will You Be Ours?

Clean Drains is seeking original mural designs inspired by the theme “Only Rain in the Drain.” Artists of all backgrounds and ages are encouraged to apply.

Selected artists will paint their designs directly onto the area surrounding the storm drains during August. Often in busy and highly visible locations, the painting process becomes part of the story —sparking conversations and reminding passersby that protecting rivers starts at the curb.

• Who Can Apply: Artists of all skill levels and ages
• How to Apply: https://form.jotform.com/260214019675151
• Submission Deadline: April 12, 2026
• Final Selections: May 11, 2026 (by the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission)
• Mural Painting Dates: August 15–23, 2026

The initiative is led by City Utilities in partnership with Art This Way and Downtown Fort Wayne.

Become a Neighborhood Drain Stormer

Clean Drains is more than an art program — It’s a neighborhood effort. Residents, families, schools and community groups are needed to mark and clean storm drains to protect our rivers.

Each volunteer will be supplied with a kit containing drain placards, cleaning supplies, chalk for kids’ sidewalk drawings, and T-shirts for those who clean. Register at CleanDrainsInTheFort.org

Flowers and candy are fleeting. Storm drain murals are a bold proclamation. Give our rivers a St. Valentine’s Day gift that will have a lasting impact: cleaner waterways, stronger neighborhoods and a visible reminder that love for our rivers begins at the curb.

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