ATTENTION: myOUC will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled upgrades from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Saturday, (4/19). During this time, customers will not be able to log in to their accounts. Thank you for your understanding.

English
Español

Search OUC.com

Water Color Project

Each year, Orange County Public School students in fourth through twelfth grades help OUC get the word out about the importance of saving water. Students are inspired to become good stewards of our planet and are tasked with creating a piece of artwork to express the importance of water conservation.

Calendar Design Project

For fourth- and fifth-grade students

Students will work with their art instructors to develop positive water conservation messages or slogans. They can then express their artistic talent by creating artwork that illustrates the message or slogan. Selected art pieces are included in the yearly Water Conservation Calendar. Winners are awarded and recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony.

Rain Barrel Painting Project

For middle and high school students

Students will learn about the importance of water conservation and practical ways they can save water. They will then have an opportunity to paint a rain barrel with either water conservation, environmental/eco-friendly or Florida-specific themes and have their work showcased at art exhibits throughout Central Florida. Winners are awarded and recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about the program, please contact Community Engagement at [email protected]. Please see the project guidelines & forms documents below for complete submission deadlines, design tips and entry guidelines.

program questions

Each school may submit select pieces of artwork for entry into the Water Conservation Calendar contest and/or the Rain Barrel Painting Contest.

How do the Water Color Project contests work?

  • Calendar Contest: Thirteen (13) pieces of artwork will be selected for next year’s Water Conservation calendar. One will be featured on the calendar’s cover, and the other 12 will represent the months of the year. The names of the students, schools, principals and coordinating art instructors will also be published in the calendar. All selected students will receive a plaque of their winning artwork and will be formally recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony sponsored by OUC. All students who submit artwork will receive a certificate of participation.
  • Rain Barrel Contest: Rain Barrel Painting Project participants will compete in six categories: Best Rain Barrel Overall, Best Water Conservation Theme, Best Florida Theme, Best Orlando/Orange County Theme, Best Environmental/Eco-Friendly Theme and Social Media Favorite. All barrels submitted will be displayed at art exhibits throughout Central Florida. Winning students/teachers will be photographed, awarded and recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony.

Will OUC provide all art materials?

  • Calendar Contest: OUC will provide Calendar Design Project participants with paper (8 ½ x 11 in.). Students must use the paper provided.
  • Rain Barrel Contest: OUC will deliver rain barrel(s) and acrylic paint to schools.

How many entries can I submit to the contest?

  • Calendar Contest: Each school may select a maximum of six (6) entries from fourth- and fifth-grade students for the Calendar Design Project.
  • Rain Barrel Contest: Schools participating in the Rain Barrel Painting Project can enter both participating groups (two barrels) in the contest. Schools must submit a photo submittal form, painting teams form, parental release forms and photographs of the rain barrels.

Where should I send the contest entries?

  • Calendar Contest: Please send all Calendar Design Project entries to Christy Garton (445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801) via school courier or drop off. Participation forms must be emailed to [email protected].
  • Rain Barrel Contest: All photographs of Rain Barrel Painting Project entries and entry forms must be emailed to [email protected]. Rain barrels will be picked up by OUC.

How will entries be judged?

  • Calendar Contest: All entries will be judged based on their originality and art/media technique. Calendar Design Project entries will also be judged based on the water conservation message/slogan created and their suitability for reproduction in the calendar.
  • Rain Barrel Contest: Rain Barrel Painting Project entries will also be judged based on their effectiveness in relaying the category theme.

“The Water Color Project is not just about preserving resources; it’s also about inspiring the next generation to become good stewards of our planet.” – Linda Ferrone, OUC Chief Customer & Marketing Officer

Painting a Brighter Future

Water Conservation Calendar

Orange County Public Schools fourth- and fifth-grade students submitted 76 water conservation-themed drawings for the 2025 Water Color Project – Calendar Contest. Click below to download the 2025 Water Conservation Calendar.

Download

Rain Barrel Contest Winners

Winning barrels were selected in each of the following six categories: Best Rain Barrel Overall, Best Water Conservation Theme, Best Florida Theme, Best Orlando/Orange Theme, Best Environmental/Eco-Friendly Theme and Social Media Favorite.

Download

Water Color Project Awards Ceremony

Each year, OUC hosts a special reception to honor the winners of the Water Color Project. Winning students are honored and awarded for their accomplishments.

Rain Barrel Auction

All rain barrels are entered into a silent auction among OUC employees, Orange County Public Schools staff and the general public. Proceeds raised in the auction directly benefit the OCPS Visual Arts Department, with the proceeds going to winning schools’ art programs.