The Art of Recycling Rain - Contest will Blend Art and Conservation

Don’t let your money go down the drain, capture the rain!

The Friends of the Manayunk Canal (FMC) has joined together with elected officials, municipal water providers, local businesses and non-profits throughout Philadelphia to present the Art of Recycling Rain Program, which includes an Art on a Rain Barrel Design Competition as well as Do-it- Yourself Rain Barrel Workshops.

The Art of Recycling Rain Program highlights the importance of rain barrels as a tool that everyone can use to conserve precious water resources. Rain barrels catch rain from roofs, storing water that can be used to care for lawns and gardens or even wash your car. One 55-gallon rain barrel can help the average household save 1,300 gallons of water in a single summer! The best part is that all the captured rain water saves money and resources that would otherwise be used to pump water from wells or municipal water systems. Don’t let your money go down the drain, capture the rain!

Artists wishing to enter the Art on a Rain Barrel Design Contest must register by Friday, June 30, 2010. The top artist designs selected to participate in the contest will get to keep a 100 percent recycled rain barrels (a $150 value) – courtesy of Upcycle Products .

Additionally, the top Art on a Rain Barrel designs will be installed along Main Street in Manayunk for thousands to see, leading up to the EcoArts Festival on September 26, 2010. Grand Prize winners will also receive a generous gift basket stuffed with local prizes! Find more details about the Art on a Rain Barrel Design Contest and download the official registration form at www.manayunkcanal.org.

Not an artist? Visit www.manayunkcanal.org to sign up for one of the Do-It-Yourself Rain Barrel Workshops in October, where for $25 you can walk away with your own 100% recycled rain barrel as well as learn how to install, maintain and use your rain barrel!

The Art on a Rain Barrel Design Contest and the Do-it-Yourself Rain Barrel Workshops are open to any adult or child willing to exercise their creativity on behalf of water conservation and stewardship. Questions should be directed to fmc@manayunkcanal.org.

The Art of a Recycling Rain Program partners include: Water Resources Education Network (WREN) a program of the PA League of Women Voters, the Schuylkill Project, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia Water Department, Councilman Curtis Jones, State Representative Kathy Manderino, Manayunk Development Corporation, Sustainable Manayunk and Upcycle Products.

Friends of the Manayunk Canal is dedicated to the protection, restoration and preservation of the natural and historical resources of Venice Island, the Manayunk Canal and Fairmount Park's Towpath in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We are committed to citizenry actions that respect and support the fundamental balance between cultural history, the natural environment and humanity. Stay connected or find out more at www.manayunkcanal.org.