City Honors Students for 2027 Water Art Calendar

Olympia recognized middle school artists whose stormwater-themed works will be featured in the city's 2027 calendar.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a teal rain droplet above a coral storm-drain grate beside a sage leaf, on a cream curb. — Olympia recognized 13 middle school artists whose stormwater-themed works will be featured in the city's 2027 water-stewardship calendar. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for their entries in the eighth annual Water Resources Stewardship Through Art calendar contest. The city selected 13 student artworks for the 2027 calendar, and four students received honorable mentions.

Why it matters

The contest gives students a way to learn about stormwater pollution and share that knowledge with the community through their artwork. The program supports Olympia's broader water education efforts aimed at preventing stormwater pollution and promoting water conservation.

The city selected 13 student artworks for the 2027 calendar and gave four students honorable mentions, following a 2026 program that engaged nearly 700 sixth-grade students. The total number of submissions the city received was not reported.

The players

Olympia Public Works Department

The city department that organizes the Water Resources Stewardship Through Art contest through its Water Resources and Drinking Water divisions, overseeing stormwater and water education programming for the city.

The details

The calendar topics include keeping pet waste out of storm drains, using commercial car washes, fixing vehicle leaks, practicing bee-friendly yard care, and clearing leaves and debris from storm drains. The Olympia Public Works Department runs the contest through its Water Resources and Drinking Water divisions, and the city plans to distribute the calendars to artists and families, middle schools, and city hall.

Spring (annually): Stormwater Middle School Week education efforts are held.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026: The City Council recognized students for the 2027 calendar.
2026: The city visited every sixth-grade classroom in Olympia, engaging nearly 700 students.

Season Trajectory

The calendar extends Olympia's annual Stormwater Middle School Week, held each spring, into a year-round art-based format. It continues a multi-year effort, now in its eighth edition, to make stormwater pollution prevention part of local school curricula.

Olympia residents can help keep storm drains clear through the city's Adopt-a-Drain program, which encourages residents to clear nearby drains of leaves, trash, and other debris. The calendar topics also offer practical guidance, such as keeping pet waste out of storm drains and using commercial car washes.

The takeaway

Simple habits like keeping leaves and pet waste away from storm drains help protect local waterways. Residents can start by checking their nearest drain and clearing it when it is blocked.