OUC Water Color Project

Water Color Project

Teaching Water Conservation Through Art

Each year, Orange County Public School students in 4th through 12th grades help OUC – The Reliable One get the word out about the importance of saving water by participating in the Water Color Project. Students are inspired to become good stewards of our planet and tasked with creating a piece of artwork to express the importance of water conservation.

OUC Calendar Design Project

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 will be included in the 2025 Water Conservation Calendar. Winners will be awarded and recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony.


Guidelines & Forms
OUC Rain Barrel Painting Project

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 will be awarded and recognized at the Water Color Project Awards Ceremony.

Guidelines & Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Each school may submit select pieces of artwork for entry into the 2025 Water Conservation Calendar contest and/or the Rain Barrel Painting Contest.

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.

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.

Calendar Contest: Each school may select a maximum of six (6) entries from fourth-and fifth-grade students for the Calendar Design Project. Each entry must be submitted no later than Friday, October 25, 2024.

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 no later than Friday, January 10, 2025.

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 communityengagement@ouc.com by Friday, September 6, 2025.

Rain Barrel Contest: All photographs of Rain Barrel Painting Project entries and entry forms must be emailed to communityengagement@ouc.com by Friday, January 10, 2025. Rain barrels will be picked up by OUC the week of January 13.

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.

Please see the project guidelines & forms documents above for complete submission deadlines, design tips and entry guidelines.

"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

OUC Water Conservation Calendar 2024

2024 Water Conservation Calendar

Orange County Public Schools fourth- and fifth-grade students submitted 85 water conservation-themed drawings for the 2024 Water Color Project – Calendar Contest. Click here to download the 2024 Water Conservation Calendar.

OUC 2024 Rain Barrel Contest Winners

2024 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 County Theme, Best Environmental/Eco-Friendly Theme and Social Media Favorite. Click here to the see the 2023-2024 winners.

OUC Water Color Project Awards Ceremony

Water Color Project Awards Ceremony

Each year OUC hosts a special reception at the Orlando Repertory Theatre to honor the winners of the Water Color Project. Winning students are honored and awarded for their accomplishments. Click here to see a video of the 2024 event and click here to see photos from the event.

OUC Rain Barrel Auction

Rain Barrel Auction

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