Enter the contest today at bit.ly/OneWaterArt2024!
Source Water Protection - How can you protect source water?
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is joining regional water utilities to hold an art contest with the theme of protecting our source water. We’re looking for local student artists grade 9 - 12 to create visual media which captures the importance of our local water sources.
Theme:
The sources of all drinking water, both tap water and bottled water, include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Submissions should tell a clear and creative message by highlighting one or all of the following:
- How human actions on the land can positively impact water quality (e.g., mindful use of winter salts and lawn fertilizers, picking up dog waste, and preventing motor oil and car wash water from entering storm drains).
- A community’s connection to local waterways – in terms of drinking water sources as well as places for recreation and enjoyment.
- The role of individuals and water utilities to protect our sources of water through environmental stewardship and responsible wastewater treatment.
Visit the sites below to learn more about drinking water sources.
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Click here to learn more about source water in Fairfax County: https://www.fairfaxwater.org/water-supply.
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Click here to view a video about One Water in Fairfax County: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzF8xv6If40.
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Click here to visit's the U.S. Water's Alliance's website on the One Water movement: http://uswateralliance.org/one-water.
Below are the requirements for this contest.
All contestants must fill out the application and submit their work by February 12, 2024, using the online form located here: bit.ly/OneWaterArt2024.
Age Range:
Contestants must be in grades 9 - 12.
Location:
This contest is only open to students living in Fairfax County.
Submission Categories:
- Video - 15-second video for use on social media.
- Painting and Drawing - includes acrylic, pastels, watercolor, oil paints, colored pencils, crayons, gouache, spray paint or other non-digital media where pigment is applied to a physical surface such as canvas or paper.
- Photography and Digital Art - includes art produced with a camera, on a computer, digital tablet, or phone.
Judging Criteria:
Click here to view the scoring rubric for this contest.
This contest is only open to students living in the COG region.
Artwork must meet these criteria:
- Represent the waterways and habitats found in this region.
- Portray water and human interactions in a positive and helpful light.
- Is action-oriented showing environmental stewardship actions that individuals and utilities take to protect source water.
- Can be adopted for use by utilities in their messaging campaigns.
- Is original and created by artist submitting the piece.
- No logos, or words on the art.
Deadline:
February 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST
Prizes:
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$300 Grand Prize per Category
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$150 Honorable Mention per Category
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$100 for each Grand Prize Winners’ Teacher
Please note:
By participating in this contest, you are giving permission for the work to be displayed at various public events, in publications and promotional materials, and in electronic format on the internet by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and members of the Community Engagement Committee. Fairfax County and Fairfax Water have the permission to use any submitted artwork in all media formats including print, electronic, or other, in perpetuity. Students will retain ownership of any artwork submitted through this contest.
Additional Information:
For contest questions, email Public Relations here.
Apply here: bit.ly/OneWaterArt2024
Flyer here: MWCOG Art Contest Flyer 2024.png.
