Mesa County Storm Drain Art Project
The initiative
The Mesa County Storm Drain Art Project is a public-private initiative designed to raise awareness about stormwater pollution by transforming storm drain inlets and other key locations into works of art. This project highlights the direct impact of these sites on water quality while engaging the community through creative expression.
Local artists are invited to submit designs, which will be reviewed and selected by the MS4 TAC Committee. Storm drain inlets and other designated locations vary in size, with different dimensions and surface restrictions. Artwork will be applied to concrete surfaces, including sidewalks, drain lids, curbs and gutters.
The current call for artists in 2025 is closed.
Why is this project important?
The project serves as a visual reminder of the interconnectedness between our daily actions and the health of our waterways. By showcasing the beauty of nature and the negative consequences of pollution, it encourages individuals to take steps to protect the environment especially at these storm drains that have direct connections to our rivers.
Meet our 2025 artists: Andrew West, Mindy Hill and Carolyn Stifflear
Andrew West "Protect Our Water"
Location: Fruita Civic Center
Artist Bio
"I chose to participate in this project because it combines two of my passions: painting and enjoying nature. I love spending time by the Colorado River and would like to do my part in keeping the water clean.
I have lived in Western Colorado for over 30 years and love the Colorado lifestyle. Besides creating art and spending time outdoors, I also enjoy running, watching scary movies, and brewing beer at a local brewery.
I participated in the Storm Drain Art Project last year and that painting can be seen near the Clifton Library. I have had art displayed in a few shows locally such as skateboard painting and pop art at the library comic con. I should have more paintings going up soon around town including art for State Parks. More of my work can be seen @a_west_art on Instagram."
Mindy Hill "Every Drop Counts"
Location: RiverFront Trail at 29 Road
Artist Bio
"Mindy Hill is a visual artist working primarily in acrylics and mixed media, with a love for bold color and contrast. Her work explores the richness of natural landscapes, the quiet presence of wildlife, and the occasional human portrait. Across subjects, her paintings invite viewers to slow down and notice the beauty in everyday moments.
Participating in the Storm Drain Project was a natural extension of Mindy’s belief in the power of connection through art. Public pieces—like her riverfront mural—serve as bridges: between people, between communities, and the environment we share. This project offered a meaningful opportunity to step outside the studio and into a shared space of curiosity, dialogue, and collaboration. For Mindy, it was a chance to share not only her artwork, but also the process behind it—accessible, unpolished, and alive.
Mindy has been painting for as long as she can remember, with her passion and skills nurtured early on by inspiring high school teachers and supportive local nonprofits. Since then, she has exhibited in local galleries and community spaces, and her work has been featured at the local train depot, on festival posters, and in regional mural competitions. Her art is currently on display and available for purchase at Uncanny Valley Gallery. Her pieces can be viewed on social media as well on both Instagram and TikTok under @_mhillart.
Outside of painting, Mindy enjoys writing, hiking wooded trails, and spending time with her husband and their beloved dog. She finds inspiration in the natural rhythms of the seasons and the quiet details that often go unnoticed. Through projects like this, she hopes to share not just the finished product, but the deeply human joy of making something original by hand—and leaving a mark that others can connect with."
Carolyn Stifflear "The River Begins Here..."
Location: Palisade Pool
Artist Bio
Coming soon.
2024 artists bios: Mae Piña, Andrew West and TJ Smith
Location: Mesa County Central Library at 443 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
"This piece was inspired by three fish species native to Colorado, the greenback cutthroat trout which is our state fish and is both federally and state threatened, the humpback chub which is both federally and state endangered, and the bonytail chub which is federally endangered and state threatened (according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife).
As an artist, I love creating work with a message that speaks greater than just myself, and I wanted to highlight not just the fact that this is a storm water drain and should not be used as anything else but also to put a spotlight on wildlife conservation and awareness, especially in the case of endangered species. I chose the Grand Junction location specifically because of its unique shape and it was fun coming up with a way to incorporate it into the design concept itself. It was certainly a challenge working with waterborne traffic paint especially when it came to custom color matching but it certainly was a welcomed challenge to get to work with a painting medium I wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to experiment with.
More of my art can be seen through my Instagram account, as well as on one of the murals at the Grand Junction Union Depot. Mine is one of the two in the back of the building facing the train tracks which features two endangered animals native to Colorado, the kit fox and the Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly. Some upcoming events you might catch me or my art at are at the Grand Junction Farmers Market on Main Street next Thursday where I will be doing a little art demo for GJ Creates, and I will be submitting a couple of pieces for this year's Comic-Con through the Grand Junction Public Library."
Instagram @mae__pina
Location: 144 Kluge Avenue, Palisade, CO 81526
"This piece was designed to complement the mural 'Endangered' I completed outside of the Mesa County Central Public Library. This mural, titled 'Garbage Is For Trash Cans, Not For Rivers,' tackles more of the anti-pollution side of the stormwater drain art project, hence the fish made out of trash. I focused primarily on designing my trash fish to be made up of easily identifiable pieces of trash that are commonly found and discarded on the street. It was fun to approach this project from another angle to help promote keeping our storm drains clear of any debris."
Instagram @mae__pina
Location: Mesa County Library Clifton Branch at 3270 D ½ Rd, Clifton, CO 81520
Andrew has lived in the valley for over 30 years. He is employed as a brewer in Grand Junction and as an artist in residence for School District 51. He is currently attending CMU and majoring in K-12 art education. He loves spending time outdoors, especially at the river trail. Keeping the waters clean is important to him, so he really appreciated getting to paint for the drain art project. When not creating art, he likes to trail run, watch scary movies, and hang out with his wife and two kids.
Location: Downtown Fruita at 165 N. Park Square, Fruita, CO 81521
TJ Smith is a multidisciplinary artist rooted in the belief that concept-driven craft yields thought-provoking outcomes. His creative process is a synergetic interplay between printmaking, painting, and large-scale public art, reflecting the natural world through a colorfully contemporary lens.
TJ strives for purity in his craft, allowing remnants of the artist's hand to ground each piece back to the organics process. His work aims to evoke a sense of place and adornment for the natural world, inviting viewers to engage with the message in the same way. Through his art, he seeks to create a dialogue that bridges the gap between nature and modernity, embedding each piece with a sense of authenticity and connection to the wild.
With art and design at his core, TJ founded Stray Wild. A design studio that aims to restore our love for the outdoors through goods and services.
"The reason I submitted a design for this storm drain mural stems from my love of the outdoors and my belief in art as a powerful tool for messaging. With my background in graphic design, I have witnessed firsthand the impact a well-crafted piece can have on its audience. This experience inspired me to create a mural that communicates the importance of clean waters for both us and our wildlife. My goal was to design something that engages the public and delivers a message that is easy to understand and, hopefully, adopt. Ultimately, this mural has the potential to change the habits of a few, contributing to a better relationship with nature. For me, that is a significant victory for both art and the outdoors."
TJ has a solo show at the Art Center until August 30th that focuses on a contemporary portrayal of the natural world. Paintings, print work and process are all displayed in rich color.
Instagram: @whatuptj
Instagram: @straywilder
Past and current artwork
2024 Art
2025 Art