Proceeds to benefit “Parks in Classroom” project at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, September 14, 2009: The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation along with local artist will launch an online rain barrel auction at 7:00pm on Monday, September 14. The auction will run for ten days, and all proceeds go directly to Pi Beta Phi’s “Parks As Classrooms” program. During the week of September 14-24, 2009 the barrels will be on display at City Hall, the Post Office, the Chamber of Commerce and Food City. To bid on these hand-painted barrels, go online to www.gatlinburg.com/rainbarrel.
Local artists have graciously volunteered their time to create beautiful works of art on six 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and also to benefit the “Parks as Classroom” project. “Parks as Classrooms” creates connected learning experiences for grades K-8 that utilize the cultural and natural resources of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lessons are multi-disciplinary, hands-on adventures that empower students to become effective stewards of the park. These experiences prove invaluable to local students, and create memories that are treasured for years to come!
Artists contributing to the 2009 Rain Barrel auction include Sandy Osbourne, Rachel Gibson, Lisa Deater, Jeff Ownby, Laura Trout and Ryan Marsh. All of the rain barrels are listed online at the website given above. This innovative fund raiser is made possible only with the help of these talented artisans.
These one of a kind rain barrels are not only beautiful, but also practical. Normally, when it rains, water runs off of the roof into gutters and eventually into the storm drain system. Once it stops raining, that water is no longer available. Rain barrels are ideal way homeowners and businesses can conserve water by collecting rain water and then reusing it for watering flowers, gardens and lawns, particularly in this time of drought. Rain barrels are also a great way to help protect our local waterways from polluted storm water runoff.
For more information on this and other Chamber programs, please contact Erin Moran at 865.436.4178, or email at erin@gatlinburg.com
Photo: The Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community sponsored this barrel painted by Sandy Osbourne for the Sept. 14-24 online auction
Very unique canvas these artist have chosen to showcase their talents.