It All Flows – Storm Drain Mural Call 2026

Thank you for your interest in the “It All Flows into the Savannah” Storm Drain Mural Project at Richmond County Schools.

The Greater Augusta Arts Council, on behalf of the City of Augusta, GA and in partnership with the Richmond County Board of Education (RCBOE) and Phinizy Center for Water Sciences is seeking artists to work with the students and teachers at six RCBOE schools in 2026 to design and paint sidewalk murals at participating schools for the “It All Flows Into the Savannah” Storm Drain Mural Project. This project is part of the City’s education and outreach efforts to raise awareness about storm water pollution. It is a yearly program that combines environmental education by staff from the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences with a sidewalk mural designed by the students, based on the environmental stewardship lessons covered by Phinizy Staff.

Previous murals can be viewed online at here .

This project is supported through City of Augusta Engineering Storm Water Services Program funds.

Background: When it rains, storm water runs over pavement, sidewalks, and yards picking up oil, litter, yard waste, chemicals, and other pollutants. The polluted storm water then flows down storm drains, through storm water pipes that empty directly into our local creeks and rivers without treatment. Storm drains can also become a hot spot for illicit dumping – trash, grease, pet waste, paint, cigarettes, and more. These pollutants make their way to the Savannah River, damaging the health of our waterways, flora and fauna. This project seeks to educate Richmond County families on our responsibility to protect our waterways and keep pollutants out of storm drains.

Mural Locations/Size: Storm drains to be painted will be located at six RCBOE schools, including T.W. Josey High School, Glenn Hills High School, Belair Middle School, Pine Hill Middle School, Belair Elementary School, and Jenkins White Elementary School.

Designs must cover the sidewalk area directly above the storm drain and may extend to the street-facing mouth of raised drains at no larger than 100 square feet, or 10’x10′ of space. The mural layout varies from school to school, but should cover no more than 100 square feet.

Materials and Support Provided: Artists will be supplied with brushes/rollers, chalk, mixing plates, gloves, cups, and paint in the three primary colors (with extra of the blue as it is the most used), as well as black and white. The paint provided will be specifically formulated to accommodate foot traffic in an outdoor setting, and may not be substituted with lesser quality paint by the artist.

*There is a limited amount of paint supplies provided to cover the 100 square foot area for the mural. Any paint needed beyond what is supplied will need to be provided by the artist or school out of their pocket. Paint supplier contact information can be provided upon request.*

Project Requirements: Selected artists must plan to give a scheduled presentation to students with their school on “working as a professional artist.” Followed by a mural design brainstorm session. Artists will help students navigate the mural process from design to painting, contributing to aesthetics where needed. We understand that not all children have the know how in creating a cohesive design. This is where the artists does their magic. Additionally, artists will be working in tandem with the arts teacher and principal at each school. At no time should the artist be left alone with the children, as the teacher will have direct supervision of the student body. Artists must plan to schedule visits with their art teacher and plan to have the mural finished, by any means necessary, by the end of May. It is strongly encouraged that mural be completed before spring break in April. Artists will have access to school facilities for clean-up while working.

Eligibility/Selection Criteria: The Storm Drain Mural Project is open to all local, adult artists. Artists who enjoy working with children and who can pass the RCBOE background check and complete the Mandatory Reporter certification process are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed by the Public Art Advisory Panel with ad hoc participation by members of RCBOE, City of Augusta, and Phinizy staff.

Selected artists will be provisionally invited to the project, but must pass all security checks with RCBOE. There will be a list of back-up artists who may be invited, should the originally selected artist prove unable to complete the required child safety measures.

*RCBOE panel members reserve the right to conduct background checks and reject any applications they deem to be from persons not eligible to work with children in the school*

Stipend for each selected artist: $830.00-$900.00

Eligibility: Artists who reside in Augusta’s River Region including Georgia counties of Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes, as well as the western South Carolina counties of Aiken, Edgefield, Allendale, Barnwell and McCormick.

Number of artists to be hired: Six

Artist responsibilities: Give a presentation for your students on “working as a professional artist.” Aid in mural design. Work with students and teachers at RCBOE schools to layout design and paint sidewalk mural.

Deadline to apply: Jan 2, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

Selected artists announced: January 16, 2026

Begin working with schools: as soon as all background checks and mandated reporter certification are completed with RCBOE – on or before February 13, 2025

Installation (painting the storm drains): Completed by May 1, 2026

How to Apply: Submit to the form below a letter of interest, a short bio, artist cv/resume, images of previous work, and any preference on school from the list of participating schools below. Be sure to communicate any previous experience you have working with children, what age groups, as well as any experience you have with painting murals. Please include any specific ADA accommodations you would need to perform the responsibilities associated with this commission.

Contact Gallery & Public Art Director Heather Dunaway at the Arts Council at 706-826-4702 or email heather@augustaarts.com with any questions you might have.

This project is supported through City of Augusta Engineering Storm Water Services Program funds.