Olympia taps middle school students for water conservation art calendar contest 

Olympia is tapping middle school students to help promote stormwater pollution prevention and water conservation best practices through its annual Water Resources Through Art calendar contest.  

Under the Public Works Water Resources Stewardship program, the city announced it is now accepting entries for the calendar arts contest, which has a deadline of May 30.  

The city is looking for original pictures, either drawn or painted, depicting one of these messages: 

• Only rain down the storm drain

• Use a commercial car wash, or wash on the lawn

• Bag and trash pet waste

• Practice bee-friendly yard care

• Don’t drip and drive — fix vehicle leaks 

• Rake a drain 

• Take shorter showers 

• Don’t let the water run 

• Fix leaky faucets 

• Water landscapes early or late 

• Install a rain barrel 

• Don’t be a hoser — use a broom instead 

Multiple entries from a student are accepted. Entries may be submitted through mail to Susan McCleary at PO Box 1967, Olympia WA, 98501 or in person at City Hall, 601 4th Ave. E.  

Selected artists will receive a $50 gift card and recognition at a city council meeting in October. The selected artworks will become part of the 2026 Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar.  

The contest is open to Jefferson, Marshall, Reeves and Washington Middle Schools. Students from Olympia Regional Learning Academy, private schools and homeschooled within the city are also qualified to join the contest.  

For questions and to know more about the contest, contact Susan McCleary at smccleary@ci.olympia.wa.us or Erin Conine at 360.570.3793.