ART FOR SAFETY:
Duluth Storm Drains

Paint Love is proud to share the successful completion of our recent storm drain project in partnership with Duluth High School, City of Duluth, Duluth Arts, and the Explore Gwinnett Creativity Fund, with engagements from over 195 high school students. Inspired by conversations facilitated by Paint Love's Mural Coordinator, Leah Kellaway, between student leaders, administrators, and city officials both committed to sustainable practices and protecting local resources, the storm drains highlight an aspect of Georgia’s natural resources and native landscape. The drains also encourage pedestrians to reflect on their carbon footprint.

This extraordinary experience was visualized in collaboration with National Art Honor Society (NAHS) students at Duluth High School and members of Paint Love’s Emerging Artist Cohort. The Emerging Artist Cohort program is an 18-month professional development experience for local artists, where cohort members learn to incorporate Paint Love’s trauma-informed model into their roles as creatives, teachers, and community leaders. For two months, cohort members mentored NAHS students after school, sharing their insights as working professionals in the creative sector. Collaboratively, mentors and mentees created designs for the storm drains while gaining valuable experience in creating public art.