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500 Kids and Teens Paint Murals for the
City of Dallas
Winning mural earns local recreation center $1,000
Thirty-eight students at Dallas’ Marcus Recreation Center painted the winner
of this year’s mural contest, titled “Story Book on Saving Water.” The
youngest artist was six and the oldest 12.
City officials unveiled the winner Friday during a brief news conference at
City Hall. The event featured the students who painted the colorful artwork.
Using a storybook theme, the kids painted a vibrant mural that tells a story
explaining how to save water. The mural will travel around Dallas and be
exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art, Latino Cultural Center and the
African American Museum throughout August.
“The goal is to educate young people in a creative way about the importance
of conserving water,” said Dallas Water Utilities Director Bob Johnson.
“When you see the murals they created, you understand these kids get it.
They understand why we must save water. They’re the ones who have the most
to lose if we don’t conserve what we have.”
More than 500 students from 10 YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and City of
Dallas Recreation Centers competed in the contest. Each center submitted a
mural that best represented the students’ ideas and concepts related to
water conservation. A panel of environmentalists, art enthusiasts and
teachers then judged the entries.
The mural contestants participate in community summer youth programs
organized through the YMCA and the City of Dallas. The city provided each
recreation center with an 8’ x 4’ canvas, and students were asked to create
murals with water conservation themes. “We’re so proud of all of our young
artists,” said Dallas City Councilmember Lois Finkelman (District 11).
“They made it very hard on the judges to choose a winner because all of the
murals were so clever and creative. Their designs teach us how the young
people perceive water conservation. What we learned is they take it very
seriously.”
Green Mountain Energy Company, which provides clean, renewable electricity
to Dallas
residents, donated $500 to Marcus Recreation Center to help students
purchase supplies. “Saving water is another way people can make a difference
in their community,”
said Andy Prince, Green Mountain Energy Company spokesperson. “Like the City
of Dallas, we believe in the power of teaching young people about making
smart decisions when it
comes to protecting our environment.”
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas also donated $500 to Marcus
Recreation Center. “Like last year, we’re proud to be involved in the city’s
water conservation campaign,” said Cheryl Brown, area community relations
manager for Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas. “This program is
important because it helps create a more sustainable city. Coca-Cola will
always support programs that enrich the lives of children and this
community.”
For information about the City of Dallas water conservation ordinance and
water-saving tips, go to www.savedallaswater.com.
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