Student artists' drawings praised

Four students and aspiring young artists from Laguna Beach schools were honored at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting for their winning entries in the first annual "Roll Out the Rain Barrel" art contest, recently held by the Laguna Beach County Water District.

Open to fifth- through 12th-graders throughout the district's service area, Laguna College of Art & Design students and district customers, the contest sought original drawings that could be painted onto actual rain barrels, which collect and store rain water from roofs that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams and the ocean.

Katelyn Kolberg of El Morro Elementary, Thurston Middle School's Colette Hammett and Summer Stanaland, and Laguna Beach High School student Sabrina Johnson were selected from 28 participants to re-create their art on a barrel.

The students received paint and a $50 gift card for additional art supplies to transfer their original drawings onto 55-gallon barrels in six weeks.

Water District General Manager Ranae Hinchey said she was thrilled with the response from Laguna students.

"Our winning students and invited organizations rose to the challenge and created some very unique art on a very large and odd-shaped canvas," she said. "We are excited to display the barrels here in the community."

The participants' creative masterpieces, which illustrate Laguna's historical landmarks, art community and sea life, will be showcased in various locations around Laguna Beach during the month of February, including Green Cube and Hobie Surf Shop on Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach Art Museum and the public library.

Other eco-conscious members of the community have also taken a liking to the decorative rain barrel concept, which can be spotted at places like the courtyard of the Women's Club and the district's Waterwise and Fire-safe Demonstration Garden.

Thurston art teacher Linda Erickson, who was also honored at Tuesday's meeting and praised by board member Jan Vickers for encouraging students to enter art contests that will expand their talents, expressed the pleasure she finds in working with such a creative group of students.

"It's wonderful to work with kids like these who think outside the box and to see their creative work," she said.

Laguna Beach County Water District provides water service to 22,000 residents within an 8.5-square-mile area of Laguna Beach. The district's mission is to furnish a high-quality, reliable water supply in a financially responsible manner while promoting water-use efficiency.