Carrollton Completes Third Wave of Storm Drain Art in Downtown

The third round of the City of Carrollton's Storm Drain Art Contest is complete as the winning artists have successfully added seven more vibrant artworks to storm drains in Downtown Carrollton.

Following the success of the last two years of the storm drain art program, the City once again opened submissions for designs that fit themes of preventing stormwater pollution, maintaining safe drinking water sources or water conservation, and protecting natural habitats. A committee of City staff and Downtown stakeholders selected seven winning designs, and community members voted on a People's Choice winner.

This year's artists painted storm drain inlets spanning South Broadway Street in Downtown Carrollton. Using environmentally friendly acrylic paint, they brought bright colors, imagery of animals and natural environments, and even messages such as "protect our wildlife, only rain in the drain" and "keep it clean" to each storm inlet. City staff have applied a sealant over the designs to protect them from sun and rain exposure. A biography of each artist and photos of their work are also available on the City website.

The community voted on Kammie Powell's design "Every Drop Ripples" as the People's Choice Winner. The design features a colorful ripple of water with the thoughtful message, "Every drop matters. Its ripple reaches farther than we think." This is Powell's third year in a row participating in the Storm Drain Art Contest and her second time winning People's Choice. Her family even joined the fun and helped with the painting process.

The installation of storm drain art raises awareness about stormwater pollution. Water that collects in storm drains may pick up pollutants such as trash or vehicle fluid from the street, and then flow directly into creeks and surface water throughout the City without being treated. Painting the storm drains is not only a unique art installation for the community to enjoy, but a reminder for everyone to help protect the local water supply and the environment.

"Storm drains are something most people pass by without a second thought, but they play an important role in protecting water quality," Andie McClure, Carrollton's Stormwater Coordinator, said. "What enters a storm drain doesn't disappear - it ultimately impacts creeks, wildlife habitat, and regional water quality. This project helps visualize the connection between our built environment and the natural systems surrounding us."

Visit Downtown Carrollton today to see how the project has continued to transform ordinary storm drains into works of art and raise awareness about preventing stormwater pollution. For more information and to read the artists' biographies, find find Storm Drain Art Contest at cityofcarrollton.com/stormwater.

Vote for People's Choice Winner of Storm Drain Art Contest
Post Date: 3/2/2026 2:49 PM

Carrollton community members are invited to vote on a People's Choice public art design slated for one of Downtown's stormwater inlets in the City's third installment of the Storm Drain Art Contest.

After the success of the storm drain art program in 2024 and 2025, seven more stormwater inlets, this time along South Broadway Street in Historic Downtown Carrollton, were selected to feature the talent of local artists. Following the spirit of the Storm Drain Art Contest, the designs match themes of preventing stormwater pollution, maintaining safe drinking water sources or water conservation, as well as protecting natural habitats. The submission window to participate in the contest as an artist has closed, but a selection committee has narrowed down the design submissions.

Now it's time for the community to choose a design from the finalists-the special designation for which will be the People's Choice. The winning artist will have first selection rights of which storm drain they would like to paint their approved stormwater art design. The committee, made up of City Councilmembers, staff, and Downtown stakeholders, will select the other six winners and assign their designs to the remaining storm drain inlets in Downtown.

Voting is open from Monday, March 2 to Sunday, March 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Visit Storm Drain Art Contest People's Choice Voting to vote and bring a splash of local art to Downtown Carrollton.

Carrollton Seeks Artists to Apply for a Third Wave of Storm Drain Art Downtown
Post Date: 10/15/26 3:00 PM

Ready to make waves in Downtown Carrollton by applying for the City's third annual Storm Drain Art Contest?

Seven artists will be selected to paint storm drain inlets on South Broadway Street. Applications are now open to submit designs that fit themes of preventing stormwater pollution, maintaining safe drinking water sources or water conservation, and protecting natural habitats. Submissions are open to all Carrollton residents and organizations, as well as those in the immediate DFW area.

Artists must be at least 12 years old to enter. Minors will need a parent or guardian to sign a permission waiver, and organizations must have a single point of contact. Artists who applied for the first or second Storm Drain Art Contest are eligible to submit again, as the selection process is anonymous.

When applying, artists must submit photos of their design concept as they would like to paint it. The artwork must be original and appropriate for all ages. The project aims to deter graffiti vandalism, so designs should not mimic graffiti style. The art may also not be used for advertisement or to promote a business, product, or viewpoint.

"We are excited to open submissions for a third phase of storm drain art installation," Andie McClure, Carrollton Stormwater Coordinator said. "The community has really embraced the program as a unique opportunity to support art in Downtown as well as raise awareness about protecting our water supply, and we hope to continue growing the program in Carrollton."

A committee will select seven winning entries based on the design criteria. Artists will be notified if their design is selected, and installation will take place in March 2026. Winning artists will have their biography featured on the City website. Additionally, the community will vote on a People's Choice Winner, and the artist will have first selection rights on which storm drain they would like to paint.

Art supplies such as environmentally friendly acrylic paint, brushes, and mixing containers will be provided to artists, as well as safety equipment such as cones, vests, knee pads, and shade cover. City staff will prep the inlets by power washing and applying a primer, then applying a sealant afterward.

Carrollton's storm drain art program raises awareness about stormwater pollution. Each time it rains, water flows over streets and can pick up pollutants including sediment, trash and litter, or oil and vehicle fluid on its way to the storm drains. These pollutants discharge directly into creeks and other surface water throughout the City, all of which flow into the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Painting the storm drains serves as both a colorful art installation for the community to enjoy and a reminder for everyone to help protect the water supply and the environment.

The deadline to submit is Thursday, January 15, 2026. For more information and to apply, find Storm Drain Art Contest at cityofcarrollton.com/stormwater. For questions, contact Andie McClure, Carrollton Stormwater Coordinator, by emailing [email protected] or calling 972-466-3035.