Every summer since 2016, the City of Springfield’s Stormwater Team has commissioned artists to paint murals at select City storm drains. This project, called UpStream Art, supports artists and beautifies the city while increasing awareness of the connection between City streets and local waterways. Our goal is to inspire community members to change their everyday behaviors to prevent pollutants from entering neighborhood storm drains.

Springfield’s stormwater system is an important part of Springfield’s infrastructure that prevents flooding. It’s largely out of sight and out of mind because it’s mostly underground, yet it directly links our homes to our rivers. That’s because, when it rains, the water washes over the city, collecting contaminants such as yard chemicals, vehicle fluids, animal waste, soaps from car washing, litter, yard debris, and more. These flow into storm drains and, unfiltered, out to the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers, where they can harm the rivers and streams we all rely on and enjoy.

Springfield is located between two rivers, the McKenzie River to the north and the Willamette River to the south. Due to Springfield’s location and the ease of access to these rivers some of the earliest industries were founded on and utilized these waterways! We all need water to survive, and the health and water quality of our local rivers and streams factor into the local activities we enjoy. UpStream Art provides opportunities to consider the water that surrounds us, the unseen water infrastructure that sustains us, and the good choices we’re already making that preserve Springfield’s health and our future.

UpStream Art is funded by stormwater user fees. Springfield users pay this fee every month through their bill to Springfield Utility Board (SUB).

The short answer for why the City spends stormwater user fees on UpStream Art is that it's required by local, state, and federal law.

Across the U.S., the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972 made it illegal to pollute rivers. By that time, Springfield's stormwater system was already built to collect rain running off buildings and streets, and send it straight into local rivers without cleaning it first. As rain flows over hard surfaces, it picks up traces of dirt, chemicals, and other urban pollution that eventually wash into the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. The new law no longer allowed that.

Springfield residents were spared expensive upgrades to the public stormwater system because the City got a permit through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, called a Phase II MS4 NPDES Permit. This permit lets residents continue sending stormwater (polluted runoff) into rivers, as long as the regulations in the permit are followed. The City's Stormwater Team manages the programs that meet those rules throughout the year, and reports on our progress. The permit requires Springfield residents to keep river pollution levels low. It also requires the City to spend stormwater user fees to help educate the public on how to reduce river pollution.

UpStream Art is a fun way to do what's required by law, while supporting artists, cleaner rivers, and bring joy to our neighborhoods.

1. Review the “Frequently Asked Questions” you’re currently reading.
2. Create an original sketch or graphic of your mural idea on this year’s theme: “Explore the relationship between humans and waterways that exists because of storm drains.” Ensure you can finish painting your mural during the assigned times (spanning 2 days at 8-hours each day), using traffic paints provided by the City. The artwork must include the following information somewhere in the design:

• City of Springfield
• springfieldstreams.org

3. Complete the UpStream Art Artist Application, when it becomes available.
4. Email your (a) completed application and (b) original art design, along with any optional materials, by midnight on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Details are on page 2 of the Artist Application under “Submitting your entry.” If you have technical issues, consider using the free computer stations at Springfield Public Library, or contact us at 541-726-3693.
5. If you do not receive an emailed confirmation within 72 hours of submittal, there may have been a problem. Phone 541-726-3693 to check on the status of your application.

1. First, please review the judge’s criteria (below) to know what they will look for. Art is considered only if it explores this theme: “Explore the relationship between humans and waterways that exists because of storm drains.”

   Second, include the following somewhere in the design: (a) City of Springfield (b) springfieldstreams.org.

   Third, for anyone new to UpStream Art, potential sources for inspiration are listed below, yet this list is not exhaustive. Get creative! Here’s some ideas:

   • Anything left outside that rain may wash away can end up in a storm drain and then in our rivers. This means our actions within the city impact the natural world, at the same time the natural world impacts Springfield. Our connections could be in terms of behaviors, causes/effects, shared locations, shared resources, the natural water cycle impacting the City, stormwater infrastructure, diverse groups and their relationships.
   • Relate to visitors who will be walking in the area at 67th & E St. in Springfield, near Ridgeview Elementary School. These storm drains empty into the McKenzie River.
   • View the “Informational Materials” in the “Stormwater Information” section of our website for specific topics: springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/development-and-public-works-brochures-guides-and-fact-sheets/

Oregonians! The UpStream Art “Call for Artists” is open to all Oregon residents with a talent for painting and an interest in helping protect Springfield’s water quality.

No, you do not have to be a Springfield resident. Anyone living in Oregon can apply.

Yes, all Oregon residents are invited to apply even if they have participated in UpStream Art before. To ensure a variety of styles, artists are limited to winning 2 years in a row. After taking the third year off, artists may apply again on their fourth year. Artists who have won before, but not for 2 consecutive years, may also apply.

Yes, artists can re-submit a design that was not selected for UpStream Art in a previous year. Keep in mind that judges consider if the work explores this year’s theme: “Explore the relationship between humans and waterways that exists because of storm drains.”

Because only emailed submissions will be accepted for UpStream Art, there will be no physical artwork accepted nor returned. If your artwork is not selected, you will retain all rights to your design. However, if you are selected as a winner, you will be asked to sign a contract granting the City the rights to your winning artwork.

Completed UpStream Art Artist Applications, including one original sketch or graphic of your design, must be received by midnight, Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered. If you do not receive an emailed confirmation that your submission was received within 72 hours of submittal, it may not have gone through, so it is your responsibility to call 541-726-3693 and check on the status of your application.

Winning designs will be selected by a diverse panel of judges comprised of educators and representatives from the art community, Springfield business leaders, and City staff.

1. Use of the theme: “Explore the relationship between humans and waterways that exists because of storm drains.”
2. Creativity and originality
3. Quality of artistic composition
4. Overall impression of art
5. Feasibility of the artist completing the work within the 16-hour timeframe (8 hours per day, over two days)

All winning artists will be required to participate in a mandatory orientation that will include a brief background on stormwater, safety while working near traffic, storm drain safety, as well as information about the painting days.

It is currently scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Artists who do not attend will have breached their contract, their winning status will be revoked, and the next runner-up will be selected to replace them. Artists with a scheduling conflict must alert City staff and make alternate arrangements for the orientation prior to September 10, 2024.

If selected to participate in the UpStream Art project artists must:

1. Sign a contract,
2. Complete the mural within the allotted time,
3. Use specialized sidewalk paints provided by the City,
4. Paint the design submitted and approved by the City, and
5. Release ownership of the storm drain mural artwork to the City of Springfield.

Artists that complete all requirements listed will receive $1,500 in compensation. The designs that become selected will become sole property of the City of Springfield, while designs not selected will remain the property of the artist.

Painting surfaces are located on City sidewalks and adjacent to City storm drains. The size of each painting area may vary, but is approximately 4-feet by 6-feet. Each area will be prepared with a clear concrete sealer before the painting begins. It is up to the artist’s discretion whether they fill the entire prepared area, or part of it.

The 2024 art installations will be on the ground in east Springfield, at the four corners of the intersection of 67th and E Street. We’re excited that this will be our first UpStream Art project in this neighborhood, as that will reinforce the message that all storm drains across the city empty to local waterways, including in this neighborhood. It is on a residential corner with homes on all sides, located near Ridgeview Elementary School and a church. These storm drains empty into the McKenzie River.

The City will prepare the area for painting: pressure wash, paint the sites with a clear concrete sealer, and mark off the paintable areas with painter’s tape. Slab sizes may vary.

Additional notes about the painting locations:

• Please contain the painting within the prepared (clear-sealed) area, which will be marked off by painter’s tape.
• Manhole covers, if any, are part of the painting area and can be painted.
• The metal grates of storm drains cannot be painted.
• Painting the concrete “floor” of the curb is allowed, but discouraged, due to increased wear from flowing water, debris moving along the street gutter, street sweeping, car tires, etc.
• The art cannot enter the street. In other words: no painting the asphalt.
• If your design idea has special requirements, please contact us and we will see what’s possible!

After artists receive notice their design was selected, they will be assigned to a painting location. They will learn this location at the mandatory Artist Orientation on September 11, or possibly sooner. Since each spot is slightly different, the artist may want to modify their design. Only MINOR changes will be allowed and must be re-submitted to the City for approval by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024 (after the Artist Orientation). The City maintains the right to accept or decline any alterations to the original selected artwork.

Artists must use paints provided by the City of Springfield, which are specialized for high-use areas such as sidewalks and roadways. The brand is Ennis-Flint traffic paint and it is water soluble. Staff will provide primary colors (red, black, yellow, blue, and white) and artists can mix them prior to arriving for the mural pointing. For examples of how the colors mix, peruse photos of previous murals at bit.ly/upstreamtour.

These tips may help with planning your design and your painting process:

• Paints dry in approx. 20 minutes so keep them damp! City staff will provide a spray bottle to keep the paint from drying – it works like a charm!
• Keep lids on all containers to prevent drying.
• Mix all the colors you need prior to starting your mural to help keep paints fresh.
• Go easy on the red – it is VERY intense!

The City will have protective measures and materials in place to prevent any accidently spilled materials from entering the stormwater system. Artists will learn more at the UpStream Art Artist Orientation.

Nothing! City staff will power wash each painting site before the project begins. We will also apply a clear concrete sealer before and after the painting is complete.

Artists must be in-person to paint their designs at the designated Springfield location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. during a two-day period: Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20. Artists are permitted to finish early. Murals must be completed by 4 p.m. on September 20.

Mural artwork is anticipated to last approximately 5 years. The City periodically seals existing murals to help them last longer. The City reserves the right to remove storm drain artwork at any time. Common reasons for removal are sidewalk construction or sun bleaching.