Art Contest
City’s Waste Trucks Visit Una Elementary to Display Winning Artwork
(click on image to view in separate window)
On Monday, December 18, nearly 800 Una Elementary students were treated to a visit by Metro waste trucks displaying artwork created by two of their classmates.
Through a partnership between Red River Service Corporation – the waste management company serving more than 86,000 Nashville homes -- Nashville Public Works and Metro Public Schools, a unique art contest was held as part of Mayor Bill Purcell’s Celebrate Nashville. Now, 72 elementary students are spreading beautification messages all across the city through the display of their artwork on Red River waste trucks.
The inspiration for the event at Una Elementary came from Metro Council Member Vivian Wilhoite. Although a special art viewing was held in early December for all of the children whose art work is featured on a Red River waste truck, Council Member Wilhoite recognized that a visit to the school would ensure all of the children at Una would be able to view the trucks and see first hand the beautification messages illustrated through the art work. Dr. Kay Shepard, Una Elementary principal, was supportive of the event and each classroom came out to view the trucks during the 3-hour period that the trucks were there.
The first place winner for the Metro-wide contest was Abigail Howland, a 4th grader at Una who received $1,500 for her school. Shakaya Murphy, another 4th grade student at Una, was a runner-up and also has her artwork featured on the side of a truck.
Besides Ms. Wilhoite, Metro Council members Pam Murray, Emily Evans, Jim Shulman and Ginger Hausser assisted in the contest judging, along with Norree Boyd, Metro Arts Commission Executive Director. Mayor Purcell announced the winners at the Celebrate Nashville kickoff event held at the new Public Square on October 1.
The purpose of the contest was to educate Nashvillians about waste management and recycling practices and the theme was “Celebrate Nashville -- Keep It Beautiful.” Hundreds of students from over 40 of the 72 elementary schools across Nashville and Davidson County participated. Public Works Director Billy Lynch said, “This event was a great way to teach the children about the importance of recycling and taking pride in keeping Nashville clean and beautiful.”
Metro Art Contest Winners Featured on Red River Garbage Trucks
(click on image to view in separate window)
To help launch Mayor Bill Purcell's "Celebrate Nashville" initiative, Public Works and Red River Service Corp. sponsored a Metro-wide art contest for 3rd and 4th graders. The "Celebrate Nashville -- Keep It Beautiful" art contest was intended as a way for Metro students to use their creativity and art skills to help spread the message about the importance of recycling and keeping Nashville clean.
Winners were selected in late November by a panel of judges that included members of the Metropolitan Arts Commission and Metro Council. The top three winners received funds for their school art departments. A total of 72 winners and runners-up will have their artwork displayed on waste collection trucks until Summer 2007.
The first place winner was Abigail Howland of Una Elementary School who received $1,500 for her school. Second place was Cameron Webb of Granberry Elementary School who received $1,000 for his school and third place was Morgan Hite of Hermitage Elementary School who received $500.
The truck with Abigail's artwork was featured in this year's Nashville Christmas Parade on December 1st. On Saturday, December 2nd, Public Works and Red River hosted a special viewing of all trucks displaying the winning artwork for the students and their families.
