What catches the rain and the eye of passersby? People living in Knox County now know the answer--an artistic rain barrel! This spring, the Water Quality Forum kicked off its Second Annual Rainy Day Brush-Off event. Local artists ahve graciously volunteered to create beautiful works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help us raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution.
Did you know that over 1,000 gallons of water runs off of the average roof (1,700 ft2) in every normal rain storm event? Just think what you could do with all of that FREE WATER!
Normally, when it rains, water runs off of your roof into your gutters and eventually into the storm drain system. Once it stops raining, that water is no longer available. Rain barrels are an ideal way homeowners can conserve water by collecting rain water and then reusing it for watering flowers, gardens and lawns, particularly in this time of drought. Rain barrels are also a great way to help protect our local waterways from polluted storm water runoff.
The Rainy Day Brush Off , created in 2008, is an annual artistic rain barrel campaign that features actual works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution. Engaging the regional visual arts community, the event produces a unique collection of barrels, while providing the community with an aesthetically compelling and easily accessible water conservation tool. Professional artists, school groups, 4-H clubs, design collectives, businesses and families participate in the Rainy Day Brush Off every Spring. The painted barrels are displayed throughout Knox County. Websites and social media are used to engage the public on the benefits of using rain barrels and other tips for reducing stormwater pollution.
Find out more about rain barrels
Learn to make, install and maintain a rain barrel. Just click here!
The Rainy Day Brush Off has been a very successful program and people are talking about it. Check out what folks are saying:
Knoxville News Sentinel: "Painted rain barrels bring home the idea of conserving water"
Knoxville News Sentinel: "Rain barrels help conserve environment, display art"
WBIR: "Rain barrels pour in water conservation awareness"
TVA River Neighbors: "Save water: Use a rain barrel"
Shopper: News: "Artists 'Over a Barrel'" page A-3
Knoxville News Sentinel: "Local artists help raise water awareness"
Metro Pulse: "Jill Sanders, Rainy Day Brush Off Rain Barrel Artist"
WVLT Volunteer TV: "Rainy Day Brush Off"
WBIR Channel 10 : "Rain barrel use increasing in Knox Co."
If you would like to participate in this program, either as a sponsor or artist, please contact Parci Gibson at 865-215-5861 or parci.gibson@knoxcounty.org
