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Arts & Entertainment

Why Weren't the Rain Barrels Catching Rain?

Emmaus Arts Commission Rain Barrel Auction Held Under Cover at Community Park

Saturday found the Earth Art Rain Barrel Project coincidentally inundated with rain, but none of it was caught by the barrels in Emmaus Community Park. They were all under cover for the 1 p.m. conclusion of the auctioning of the five hand-painted rain barrels at the Earth Day celebration.

Teri Sorg-McManamon of the Emmaus Arts Commission said the two-week silent bidding period for the rain barrels, "started out slowly, put then picked up, which is what I expected."

Winning bids were placed by Jenna and Phil Tighe of Allentown for Cheryl Peters' rain barrel art; Dr. Aejaaz Issa of Emmaus for the barrel painted by the Emmaus High School Art Club; and Heather Deschenes of Emmaus for Claudia Evan’s artwork.

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Wesley Works of Emmaus was the highest bidder for Alyssa Smith’s rain barrel art, and John and Lynn Donches of Emmaus for the barrel hand-painted by Peter Gerry.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund future projects of the Emmaus Arts Commission.

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This was the first year for the Earth Art Rain Barrel Project, which was sponsored by both the arts commission and the Emmaus-Upper Milford Environmental Awareness Committee. Last fall artists submitted their concepts for rain barrel art to the arts commission and five winners were given $100 for supplies to paint a rain barrel for the auction.

The barrels were on display throughout Emmaus for a week in April for public viewing, and then at Triangle Park for another week.

A bidding book was kept at the Emmaus Public Library for two weeks, with final bids taken on Saturday at Emmaus Community Park.

The project connected artists with water conservation efforts in a unique way. It’s all meant to create awareness of water conservation through artistic statements.

While gracing the yards or gardens of the five auction winners, the rain barrels will collect water that would otherwise be lost to storm sewer systems. The rainwater can be used to water flowers and gardens while saving on water bills.

Check the Emmaus Art Commission’s web page, www.emmausarts.org, for details of future community projects, including the October horror film competition for middle and high school students

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