Orange County public school students are helping OUC—The Reliable One get the word out about the importance of saving water. Since 2006, OUC has sponsored the Water Color Project, an education outreach effort designed to encourage water conservation through art in two contests; 1 for Elementary students and the other for Middle and High School students. Elementary students enter drawings for the 13 display pages on OUC’s Water Conservation Calendar, with judging by OUC staff deciding the cover and monthly art placements. Middle and high school students working as teams to paint rain barrels that are judged in seven categories — Best Rain Barrel Overall, Best Water Conservation Theme, Best Florida Theme, Best Orlando/Orange County Theme, Best Environmental/Eco-Friendly Theme, CityArts Choice and Social Media Favorite. All rain barrels are displayed in art exhibits throughout Central Florida during the months of March and April. Any barrels not purchased during the art exhibits will be added to a silent auction open to the community beginning in May. To learn more about the program, visit www.ouc.com/wcp.
