The ‘only rain down the rain’ art initiative aims to raise awareness about what it’s thrown near a catchbasin will mostly likely end up in the Thames River and other streams.
“They protect us from flooding and when it rains or the snow melts, the catchbasins carry that water into our local streams and ultimately into the great lakes,” says City Engineer Kelly Scherr. “Unfortunately though, that precipitation also carry pollutant and garbage debris such as soaps, fertilizers, cigarette butts.”
Three out of the six catchbasins will be located in Ivey Park. The remaining three can be found in Springbank Park, the parking lot of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and the Lambeth Arena.
Green Economy London and the London Brewing Co-operative have also joined the awareness campaign. BrewingCo is the first private business to feature catchbasin public art on its property.
Erica Dornsbuch was one of the artists selected from the London Arts Council public art roster. She says she is honour to be part of the project which she describes as a ‘gentle reminder’ to all Londoners.
“We don’t always recognize the impact that we might have in our environment such as, dropping things on the ground, not putting something in the litter, cigarette butts floating down the river. All that can cause serious harm to the wild life,” adds Dornbusch.
London has a total of 32,000 catchbasins across the city.
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A look at some of the artworks in Ivey Park
Artist Holly Pichette and her “little helper” Pichette’s son standing beside her catchbasin painting in Ivey Park. (Mariana Calles/XFM News)
“I am really influence by a woodland style of art work. My work is very colourful and vibrant to try to catch attention with it. I want people to take a look and see how there are different animals and that they are all being connected, that is my message,” says Pichette.
Artist Erica Dornbusch says it took her over 3 days to paint and decorate her catchbasin. (Mariana Calles/XFM News)
“My work represents fishes coming out from the drain. Sort of indicates -some of the shapes- going down, which means that what we drop here, it will become intersperse with fish and other wild life along the river. It’s a gentle informational piece to be aware of, as what we are putting in those drains have a great impact,” says Dornbusch.
