Forsyth Students Invited to Fifth Annual Storm Drain Art Contest

Forsyth County and Keep Forsyth County Beautiful opened the fifth annual Storm Drain Art Contest on Jan. 5, 2026, asking middle and high school students to design artwork that educates the public about water quality under the theme "Only Rain Goes Down the Drain." Submissions are being accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, and will be reviewed by a judging panel, with winners announced soon after.

The three selected student artists will each receive $100, certificates of recognition and the opportunity to paint their designs on designated storm drains across the city and county, bringing educational messages directly into public spaces. Entries must be emailed to Apryl Milam at agmilam@forsythco.com and include signed entry and release forms. Additional rules and information are available via the Keep Forsyth County Beautiful link on the Forsyth County website.

Forsyth County Environmental Programs Manager Tammy Keaton framed the contest in practical environmental terms, noting the role of stormwater in transporting pollutants. "As water flows over land, streets and parking lots after a rain event, numerous contaminants including trash, chemicals, pet waste, motor oil, yard clippings and fertilizers are collected along the way, ending up in our water systems," she said. The contest uses public art to translate those technical risks into a visual message that residents encounter in daily life.

For Forsyth County residents, the contest is more than an art opportunity for students; it is part of community-level efforts to reduce stormwater pollution that complicates water treatment and can harm recreational waterways. Visual messaging on storm drains is an inexpensive, targeted outreach tactic that municipalities widely use to increase public awareness, encourage behavioral change such as proper disposal of waste and lawn chemicals, and support broader municipal stormwater management objectives.

Engaging students also has long-term implications: youth-led projects can foster a cohort of informed citizens who are more likely to support and comply with local water-quality initiatives. By combining modest financial awards, civic recognition, and a visible public canvas, the program aims to translate education into neighborhood-level action.

Interested students or guardians should email agmilam@forsythco.com with completed entry and release forms before the 5 p.m. March 6 deadline. Winners will be announced after judging concludes, and awarded designs will be painted on storm drains within the county to reinforce the message that only rain should go down the drain.