Rain garden maintenance Summer 2026 status: A record-setting amount of rainfall through May led to incredible growth across Columbus. While we’re thrilled to see lush plants, conditions require maintenance teams to spend extra time at each basin visit trimming and maintaining existing native vegetation. All Blueprint rain gardens are maintained monthly. You can learn more about the maintenance program HERE
Welcome to the Blueprint Columbus Education Youth Art Contest, where young artists have the opportunity to showcase their talents while celebrating our vibrant community and the innovative Blueprint Columbus project. This contest is more than just a showcase of artistic skill; it’s a celebration of our neighborhood’s resilience, creativity, and commitment to environmental sustainability.
Our contest theme revolves around celebrating the essence of Blueprint Columbus and its impact on our community. We encourage participants to create artwork that reflects an aspect of the Blueprint Columbus project, whether it’s the beauty of green infrastructure, the importance of water management, or the spirit of community collaboration. Let your imagination be your guide as you explore the themes of innovation, sustainability, and community pride!
The Blueprint Columbus Education Youth Art Contest is open to all young artists in our community, from kindergarten to high school. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting to discover your creative talents, we invite you to be part of this inspiring journey.
Participating in the Blueprint Columbus Education Youth Art Contest is simple and exciting! Here’s how you can get involved:
1. Create Your Artwork: Use your artistic talents to create an original piece of art that reflects an aspect of the Blueprint Columbus project. While creating your masterpiece, please stick to the following guidelines: all artwork must be original, done on a standard 8.5″x11″ piece of paper, and completed using pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint, or any combination of those materials.
2. Showcase the Blueprint Spirit: Your artwork should capture the essence of Blueprint Columbus – from its innovative approaches to managing stormwater to its positive impact on our community and environment. Think of the Four Pillars – lateral lining, roof water redirection, sump pumps, and green infrastructure.
3. Submit Your Entry: Please visit our contest submission page and fill out the entry form or deliver your artwork to a drop-off location*. On the back of your artwork, please include: your name, age, grade level, teacher, and school/summer camp location.
4. Share Your Vision: Spread the word about the contest and share your artwork on social media using our link. Encourage your friends, family, and fellow community members to join in the celebration of creativity and sustainability.
Drop off locations:
We’re putting the power in the hands of our community! After the submission period ends, all entries will be displayed on our contest page for public voting. We encourage everyone to visit the page, admire the artwork, and cast their votes for the pieces they find most inspiring.
In addition to the thrill of sharing your creativity with the community, the winners of the Blueprint Columbus Education Youth Art Contest will receive special recognition and opportunities to showcase their artwork:
Winning artwork will appear on vinyl-wrapped traffic boxes in the artist’s neighborhood, with all entries showcased in Blueprint libraries and recreation centers.
All pieces of artwork will be displayed at the Blueprint Columbus 10th Anniversary Art and Photography Gallery Event. Stay tuned for information about the event.
Winners will be celebrated by local leaders, including city officials and project organizers, for their creativity and the positive impact their work brings to the community.
Along with recognition and increased visibility, winners may also receive prizes such as art supplies, gift cards, and special certificates celebrating their achievement. Your creativity and talent will leave a lasting impact on our community, inspiring others to join us in building a brighter, more sustainable future.
Stay tuned for announcements regarding contest deadlines, judging dates, and winner announcements. We can’t wait to see the amazing artwork that our young artists create!
Ready to showcase your creativity and celebrate the Blueprint Columbus spirit? Join us in this inspiring art contest and let your imagination soar! Together, we’ll continue to build a stronger, more sustainable community for generations to come.