Phoenixville uses student art to fight littering

PHOENIXVILLE » Phoenixville is looking to remind its residents about the importance of caring for the environment with some local art by students.

The borough and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary have teamed up to use locally submitted art to send a message about litter in storm drains.

On Tuesday, advocates installed 10th-grader Seline Stoop’s drawing as street art beside a local storm drain at the corner of Bridge and Prospect streets across from Borough Hall. The design was installed as a temporary storm drain art sticker, made of a biodegradable material that adheres to the cement or asphalt. The sticker also has grit in it so it is not slippery for people walking over it or cars driving over it.

Stroop’s drawing was selected to be featured in spring 2017 after she won first place in the Schuylkill Street Art Contest, an art contest held by the Schuylkill Action Network for students in grades 6-12 in the Schuylkill watershed. This contest is now in its second year thanks to the Schuylkill Action Network and members like the Borough of Phoenixville. Schuylkill Action Network’s graphic designer, Frank McShane has taken elements of the artwork to be installed around the storm drain.

“Many people are unaware that storm drains empty into local streams, then flowing into the Schuylkill River,” read a release from the borough. “By installing a storm drain art design, we hope to educate residents and spread awareness of source water protection.”

Digital First Media

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOENIXVILLE BOROUGH This artwork done by Chester County student Seline Stoop will serve as a temporary sticker on an area storm drain to remind residents not to litter.