The off-white, algae-spotted rain barrel wasn’t what artist Linda Zolten Wood was expecting when she signed up for Cleveland’s Summer Rain Barrel Project in 2010. “It was just ugly as all get out,” says Wood. But the freelance arts teacher and Cleveland Institute of Art alumna knew what to do: She sanded, primed and painted “swirly awesomeness” on the barrel that still stands proudly in her Collinwood front lawn today. Now, thanks to her Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project and various grants, more than 300 rain barrels with scenes of lush koi ponds, colorful psychedelic lizards and majestic blue herons collect water to be used for gardening or to wash cars throughout the Cleveland area. Through Wood’s workshops, individuals or groups can create their own barrel-murals to lower their water bill, keep Lake Erie clean and jazz up their front yard. “I get the privilege to bridge the sustainability world with the art world,” says Wood. “If you love your rain barrel, you’re going to use it more.” paintedrainbarrel.org
Best of Cleveland 2016: Painted Rain Barrels
Keep Lake Erie clean, lower your water bill and jazz up your yard with the Summer Rain Barrel Project.
best of cleveland
3:00 PM EST
October 4, 2016