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: it meets requirements in our stormwater permit, which is required by local, state, and federal law.

Across the U.S., the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972 basically made it illegal to pollute rivers. By then, Springfield's stormwater system had been developing for a century. The system prevented flooded streets by collecting runoff and releasing it to local rivers without cleaning it first. City runoff contains pollution that washes of buildings and streets, and the law put limits on that.

Springfield was spared additional expensive upgrades to the public stormwater system and litigation from activists because the City received a permit through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, called a Phase II MS4 NPDES Permit. This permit lets community members continue sending runoff into rivers, as long as various types of water pollution are kept within limits set by the permit. The City's Stormwater Team manages programs that help everyone in Springfield understand and meet the permit's requirements including businesses, community members, construction workers, and even City employees. The permit requires everyone in Springfield to prevent river pollution. It also requires the City to spend stormwater user fees to educate the public on the permit's requirements.

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

UpStream Art is not currently accepting applications. The Call To Artists usually opens in late winter or early spring and we promote it on this website, the City's social media channels, and through the media and our partners. For an emailed reminder, sign up for the UpStream Art email list.

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.

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 not scheduled.

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.

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.

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.