IT'S RAINING ART

What is Rain Barrel Art?
The Cuyahoga SWCD has 27 artists who donated their time, money and amazing talent to paint rain barrels for us! Thank you to all the artists!
The painted barrels are being displayed around the county at various locations listed below. There is an on-line auction to bid on the barrels. Minimum donation is $100. Bids will be posted within 24 hours next to the barrel on this site. Please check back for the most current bid.

Send in your bid(s) to Amy Roskilly at aroskilly@cuyahogaswcd.org or call 216/524-6580, ext. 22. Please indicate which barrel(s) you are bidding on.

The auction runs from June 15th - September 30th. The highest bid on September 30th will be the winner of that barrel (including diverter kit). You will have a beautiful functional rain barrel to use at your home.

All proceeds from this auction go to benefit the district's education programs including Forestry Camp, Envirothon competitions, teachers workshops, etc.

Thank you for your bid!

BIRD and BIRD
Artist: Tiffany Laufer

$100
Donated to the Cleveland Botanical Garden Sustainability Symposium raffle

Artists statement:
Did you know there are 9,865 bird species that exist in the world today and northeast Ohio is a one of the best known spots in the nation to see migrating birds. Ohio`s list of 412 bird species includes 41 waterfowl, 20 hawks and falcons, 47 shorebirds, 30 larids, 12 owls, 10 woodpeckers, and 41 warblers. Due to our proximity of Lake Erie we are in luck indeed because this area is a major migratory stopover. This barrel is dedicated to the beautiful bird and serves as a reminder for us all to promote protecting migratory paths and in our every day to use less pesticides and to try embrace practices that ensure these animals can exist along side us. 1,227 bird species are considered threatened with extinction and 838 species are near threatened. The remaining 7,735 species are considered to be of least concern (which is nice to think most are safe), and 65 species lack the data to determine their status. Since 1500, 133 species of birds are known to have gone extinct.

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BUGGY BUG WORLD
Artist: Katherine Bulava

Current bid: $110 (Renata B.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The inspiration for this design came to me as I was working on planting my berry garden. A bug of some sort crawled up my shorts, causing me to dance around trying to get it back out. Suddenly, the presence of these tiny creatures seemed larger than life. (Spray paint and acrylic)

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CATABOLIC ANAHILISTS
Artists: Jonathan Clemente & Daniel Clemente

Current bid: $150 (Bruce P.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The barrel highlights some of the generative and regenerative processes characteristic of biological functions. Catabolic processes are degradative breaking down larger components into smaller ones and are noted by a release of energy. Anabolic processes often illustrate a build up from smaller to larger components and are often endergonic or energy absorbing. My barrel illustrates some of these processes.

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CLEAN RIVER
Artists: Crystal Olesen & Whitney Mills
(Grade 12, Rocky River High School)

$100
SOLD

Artists statement:
The simple flowing forms and cool blue-green color palette of this river scene represent our Ohio natural environment. The painting is a reminder of our responsibility to preserve the purity of our rivers, forests and air.

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DAWN OF A NEW DAY
Artist: Sandra Kugenieks

Current bid: $140 (Patty B.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The stars dim as a golden glow begins to peak over the horizon. A final nocturnal hoot of an owl drifts off into the silence as the eastern skies lighten in a changing display of yellows, oranges and pinks. A cool mist blankets the shadows in a futile attempt to ward off the day. Then a sleepy songbird's melodic tune breaks the stillness. The gentle rustling of leaves on the forest floor reveals a pair of squirrels already at play. Slowly but relentlessly the world begins to awaken. It is the dawn of a new day. A new day that will bring with it limitless opportunities to help preserve the peace and tranquility that the earth has to offer. A new day where we can sensibly harvest Mother Nature's bounty. A new day where we can take her offerings and use them in a way that leaves the world a kinder and gentler place.

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ESTHER THE
ACCORDION LADY
Artists: Stephen Greenberg, APS Euclid Adult Activities Center with
the assistance of: Thomas Thurman, Mark Ivey & Patty Swanson

Current bid: $200 (Michelle T.) WINNER

Artists statement:
It is comprised of color-fast tissue paper, repurposed buttons, beads, ceramic tile, glass tile, repurposed magazine images, glitter, repurposed jig-saw puzzle pieces and whatever else was handy. It is coated with 5 layers of sealant and made with much love and eccentric devotion.

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FEW OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS
Artist: Jo Anna Cobb and Henry Heasely

$100
Donated to the City of Seven Hills
Storm Water Committee

Artists statement:
Rather than do a portrait, or landscape, this design is simply a collaboration of all the things myself and my family look forward to seeing when in our beloved Metroparks system. The parks are directly affected by the immediate watershed area, and I have seen them decline greatly in the past 25 or so yrs. It is my most sincere hope that our children, and future generations to come are able to enjoy our abundance of natural resources here in the Cleveland area. If we all do our part, the animals and plant life depicted in this design will be able to thrive instead of becoming a distant memory of times past!

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FISH
Artist: Cristina Rivera

$100
Purchased by Kathy S. (after auction)

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FLORA
Artists: Susan Thorpe and Dede Storer

Current bid: $180 (Karleen S.) WINNER

Artists statement:
I will be the gladdest thing.

Under the sun!

I will touch a hundred flowers.

And not pick one.

Edna St. Vincent, Millay

In the same way that Ms. Millay's poem will not harm a flower, we, too, with our rain barrels will nourish them while conserving the water for other living things.

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GROWHIO
Artist: Gwen Forte

Current bid: $130 (Cheryl S.) WINNER

Artists statement:
This rain barrel was painted to complement the launch of Growhio's redesigned website, which was created by thunder::tech. The barrel design mimics the background of the redesigned website and includes Growhio's logo. Growhio is an initiative that arose from the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit. Growhio is a marketing, branding and educational resource for local food in Northeast Ohio. Growhio is dedicated to strengthening and supporting all aspects of the local food economy and connecting consumers to our local food system. For more information, please visit growhio.org.

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HARNESSED WIND
Artists: Drew Mocarski, Mike Manocchio,
Michael Fantone & Jamal Teague

Current bid: $125 (Kemp J.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The design which wraps all the way around the barrel, shows old fashioned windmills in a Dutch folk art landscape setting. We wanted to show the evolution of wind power as an environmentally friendly clean energy source in our modern world but one that is essentially being revisited and was used extensively in the past.

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JUST DUCKY
Artist: Holly Brenton

Current bid: $140 (Lianne M.) WINNER

Artists statement:
I imagined if you could see inside my rain barrel, what would there be? A family of ducks has snuck inside and is playing in the water. My painting is a trompe-l�oeil, as if it was see-through and you could see inside.

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JUST LIKE YOU
Artists:
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Green Road Developmental Center): Brittany Randolph, Cierra White, Rachel BeyLinson, Jack Johnson, Dylan McCormick, Preston King, Derrick Lincoln, Chris Komrovsky, Anthony Mooreland, Marco Reese, Paola Paredes, Arna Stennett, Teachers Assistant
Emile B. De Sauze Contemporary Academy: Deja Huff, Danielle Jackson, John Robinson, Willie Parker, Ramia Wilson, Trayqwon Hogans, Eric Johnson, Arnijah Billingslea, A'keyah Linear, Brianna Irby, Nicole Webster, Alverez Forbes, Jamir Smith, Niya Gray, Tavionna Clayton, Delvin Lino

Current bid: $100
Donated to Katie Spotz (www.rowforwater.com)

Artists statement:
"Just Like You" painting is done by children with disabilities and non-disabled children from Cuyahoga County Board of Development Disability and Emile B. De Sauze Cleveland school. "Just Like You" painting represents children with disabilities who are just like those without disabilities. "I can paint just like you." Students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Emile B. deSauze Elementary, worked on this rain barrel with students from the Green Road Development Center. We all created ideas and collaborated as artist Joy Roliff transferred certain selected images onto the rain barrel. All students had a chance to paint the barrel.�

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LIQUID LIFE
Artist: Lisa Anne Stella

Current bid: $175 (Marlane W.) WINNER

Artists statement:
My design for the rain barrel is to remind us and to promote the awareness of water, how it affects not only human life but animal, plant and ocean life as well.

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THE LITTLE PRINCE
Artists: John-Michael Langa & the Beaumont
French Club - Deanna Thompson, Ashley Akins,
Jenna Langa & Marie Hopkins

Current bid: $125 (Mary W.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The source of inspiration for our rain barrel is the book Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a book we read in French class. The Little Prince travels the universe in search of love and companionship. The book is about embracing the inner child, appreciating the little things in life, being non-judgmental, and loving others. The image we have painted on our barrel represents people who are happy and jumping for joy in celebration of life. They are splashing in the water and reaching for the stars. We were inspired by the quote: �L�eau peut aussi �tre bonne pour le c�ur�comme un cadeau� which translates as �Water is good for the heart�like a gift.� Life is good! An abundance of happiness can be found in the simplest things, like a star, a flower, or a little bit of water.

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LIVE SIMPLE
Artist: Diane Zizka

Current bid: $125 (Suzann G.) WINNER

Artists statement:
This rain barrel, painted by fine artist Diane Zizka, is done in acrylic and uses a paisley design motif to represent things in nature that are associated with the rain barrel such as flower petals, rain drops or leaves. A paisley motif was chosen also because it is a personal favorite of Zizka's. The concept "Live Simple" is a common theme or idea in most of Zizka's fine art. This idea is something she strongly feels would improve the quality of life for everyone as a whole, taking take less, using less and needing less. A rain barrel in itself is exactly the sort of thing Zizka would like to see more people using as a way of the individual doing simple things in their own lives to help improve the quality of life for everyone as a whole and therefore offered to paint this rain barrel.

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LOOKING UP
Artist: Dana Hercbergs

Current bid: $150 (Barbara G.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The rain collected by this barrel comes from above. Yet, rarely do we note the sky and pause to take in the elements. This design is inspired by a moment at a stop light, when I looked up from the road to appreciate the composition that lay overhead. As water conservation is concerned with awareness of the environment and its cyclical patterns, I thought it apt to cover this barrel with a scene that connects earth and the skies.

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NO ADDED PRESERVATIVES
Artist: Mary C. Nicholson

Current bid: $140 (Mary Lynn J.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The natural elements Earth, Air, Fire, Water, are the inspiration for my barrel design. I wanted to convey the use of these natural elements in our daily lives. For example, the use of this rain barrel to reuse and recycle the rain water to for yards and gardens; conserves water. Instead of using fossil fuels, wind turbines and the sun are used to produce clean, renewable natural energy. Using the good earth to grow organic foods helps eliminate the use of chemicals and steroids that lead to illness and obesity. Ultimately, by living in harmony with nature and wisely using nature�s elements, we will improve our daily lives, and have a positive impact on future generations.

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OHIO MEANS LARGE RIVER
Artists: Robert O'Lexa & Michele McBride

$100
Purchased by Carolyn B. (after auction)

Artists statement:
Inspired by ancient cave and rock paintings from many different places on our planet, we feel that water = life and is our most precious resource. The barrel reflects purity - and the primal life-sustaining properties that connect us to water. Many people in certain parts of the world have no access to clean drinking water, if any at all. We are very blessed to have the vast system of watersheds, rivers and the Great Lake that we do.

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PEACE AT HOME
Artist: Sharon Skylar Cataldo

Current bid: $140 (Diane D.) WINNER

Artists statement:
Saving the environment one rain barrel at a time. This is my place in paradise, my dream home. The trees clean the air and offer a cool breeze. The flowers offer beauty for all to see and nectar for the bees so they can make honey. A place to relax and reflect on the times. The birds make beautiful music so early in the morning and late at night when all is quiet. Take a sail on the lake and, above all, take time to help save the environment for future generations.

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THE RAIN MAKER
Artist: Greg Justus

Current bid: $130 (Judy M.) WINNER

Artists statement:
As an artist very interested in the Native American culture, it wasn�t difficult to know the direction I was going to take . When I think of different cultures tied into the earth on both a spiritual and resource level, Native Americans are the first people who come to my mind. Along with admiring their spirituality, I�m also very drawn to the symbols, patterns & color choices used in all aspects of their culture, from clothing to living quarters. The mystery of symbols & what they might mean are great for conversation & speculation for any artwork. Along with this Native American influence and obviously being highly addicted to color, I rely on the modern art concept of using paint as a subject matter. As you get up close to the work, you�ll find paint splashes and very thick lines of paint, most of which were applied directly out of the tube. The focus goes from the image to the paint itself. Nothing pleases me more than seeing someone being drawn into my work, not being able to resist the temptation to touch the work because of their desire to feel the texture and thick paint lines. Recycling one of the earth�s greatest resources, water, even with such a simple invention as a rain barrel, I believe would make any culture proud.

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RAINING HOPE
Artists: Gina Washington & Matilda Washington

$100
Donated to Northern Ohio Return
Peace Corps Volunteers Association

Artists statement:
We were inspired by the South African Ndbele Tribe. Ndbele is now a form of art created and crafted by the women and handed down from mother to daughter. It is bold geometric designs painted on the outside (and inside) of their homes. Those designs are messages to the community. We have kept our message to our community simple and to the point with stylized animals and heavy raindrops. Water conservation is one of the keys to our survival. With this barrel we are two generations paying our respects to humanity in every stroke of the brush.

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ROUNDABOUT
Artist: Bob Peck

Current bid: $150 (Laura M.) WINNER

Artists statement:

Coming from a graffiti art/street art background from my teenage years, I decided to apply this form of art to my rain barrel. My thought process was, in the last 20 years or so, graffiti art has gained integrity as an art form and has moved from an urban environment into every facet of living. It can be seen everywhere. From fine art galleries in upscale neighborhoods to the stretches of the outer-ring suburbs, printed on children's skateboards. This too can be said about gardening. Often thought of as something that dwells mainly in suburban backyards and rural areas, large-scale and elaborate garden scenes are making their way into dense inner-city/urban environments and becoming a natural part of city living. My idea was to have the two meet head-on. Krylon meets chrysthanthemum, living harmoniously.

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SEASCAPE
Artists: The Cleveland School of Architecture and Design at John Hay, Cynthia T. Greene � Art Teacher

Current bid: $115 (Ruza M.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The students created a very unique & colorful design for their rain barrel. The barrel depicts underwater life which is symbolic of the school. In the seascape you see a racing school of fish, representative of our students� hectic schedules & eagerness to learn. A forest green sea turtle represents the students� uniforms & the school colors. The mountainous coral reef reminds us of how our high school towers above most schools in its educational excellence. Look closer & see that the coral reef is home to many sea creatures including an electric eel slithering out of a cave & a scuba diver who has just discovered a manta ray. The bright colors of the coral reef bring the sea to life, just as the academic curriculum of John Hay galvanizes the students & all their dreams. Lastly the Kraken depicts the most important quality of the John Hay Campus. This cosmic sea creature represents the unity that staff & students have with each other. It represents the goal of success that both the staff & students want & are committed to achieve. Each tentacle holds an item related to our students� lives including paint brushes, laptop computer, book, sports balls, t-square, flask, �cephalopod� (ipod) & most importantly, a John Hay diploma.

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STARS, STRIPES
AND SPLATTER
Artists: Girl Scout Troop 70460 - Nicole Fiorelli, Rachel Franks, Celestial McDonald-Burke, Veronica Victor & Taylor Wilson

Current bid: $100
Donated to Ohio Soil and Water District's
State Envirothon auction

Artists statement:
Our rain barrel represents creativity and uniqueness. The girls all worked together to come up with a design that somehow represented all of them. They worked meticulously and shared many laughs while learning how much teamwork can accomplish. As the adult representative of this troop, I take pride in knowing that the girls did their best and worked their hardest. We hope that people will enjoy what we have been able to create and that others will see the value in our rain barrel.

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UNDERWATER LIFE
Artists: Albie Weiss, Maggie Weiss,
Cass Weiss & Rachel Weiss

Current bid: $125 (Rebecca S.) WINNER

Artists statement:
The design we chose was created spontaneously. One afternoon my 3 daughters and I got together to paint the rain barrel. Our theme was underwater life. We felt that theme is appropriate because the use of rain barrels actually helps life on the planet. Also, my daughter, Cass and I are avid scuba divers. We all painted at the same time and kept moving around the barrel until we were done.

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WONDERWATER
Artist: Beth Bryan

Current bid: $150 (Laura M.) WINNER

Artists statement:
Layers and layers and layers of archetypes define us and unite us. This barrel not only represents the majesty of water and its uniting elements, but the importance of conservation. In light of the current situation on the Gulf coast, we must respect and care for the water and the wildlife it supports, as it supports and sustains us as well. in 2009, my single rain barrel collected enough rain water to water my large garden for the whole summer without the use of any city water. I would love for this barrel to inspire others to engage in this simple act of conservation by buying and using a rain barrel.