The winning storm drain art entries have been chosen! After receiving a dozen entries, the Stormwater Department has selected five winners.

Meet your winners!

• Ellen Brewer – Storm drain by Bank of Tennessee
• Lauren Whipple – Storm drain by Kingsport Imaging
• Suzanne Barrett Justis – Storm drain by Suzanne Barrett Justis Fine Art
• Joel Hammitt – Storm drain by Kingsport Public Library
• Audra Miller – Storm drain by Now or Never Tattoo

“I would like to thank everyone who entered the contest,” said Amanda McMullen, stormwater quality control technician for Kingsport Public Works. “What I like most about this project is the use of art to educate the public about environmental concerns.”

Each of the winners will receive $100 and paint for their design. The artists will begin painting the first week of September, with the designs being completed by the end of September. To follow along with the progress of the storm drain art and to meet the artists, check out and like the Kingsport Public Works Facebook page. The public is encouraged to take a walk downtown when the artists are working and ask questions and snap their own photos of their favorite drain in progress.

Sponsors for this contest are all local businesses and include Bank of Tennessee, Kingsport Imaging and Now or Never Tattoo Gallery.

As Kingsport grew, the ground became covered with asphalt, concrete and buildings. Without realizing it, an important part of the water cycle was disturbed. Instead of rain naturally filtering into the ground, it flows over roofs, driveways and streets as stormwater. Stormwater can pick up pollutants and transport them into local waterways via the storm drain system. Pollutants include everyday items like pesticides or fertilizers in our yards, oil in our cars, and even soap. When introduced into the waterway, pollutants have a harmful effect on aquatic life and the health of our rivers.

For more information on stormwater in Kingsport, please visit here.

 

Presented in conjunction with Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Beth Snapp and NewSong Music proudly present the official extended play record (EP) release and concert for Don’t Apologize. Set for Friday, August 31^st, at the Renaissance Theatre, the concert will start at 7:00 p.m.

Beth Snapp’s new EP, tellingly titled, Don’t Apologize, is comprised of a set of songs that run through a gamut of emotions, doing so with both vibrancy and vulnerability.

“To me, this EP is a continuation of a journey. My second project was largely an account of just coming out of a storm. I had survived, I knew things were going to get better, but there was some healing and processing to be done. As time passed, and I did the work to heal, I emerged into a new place. I realized that surviving the storm wasn’t enough. I realized I was put on this Earth to do more than survive.”

A collection of soothing and supple melodies, underscored by a bracing backing band, it offers astute observations about the challenges, expectations and ability to overcome obstacles — either self-imposed or those that result from outside interference. It’s a personal tale gleaned from lessons learned, from a need to face those realities and cope with them accordingly. Snapp delivers these songs with clarity and conviction, sharing universal truths that can resonate with us all.

Produced and mixed by Gar Ragland, engineered by Julian Dreyer and recorded at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, Don’t Apologize features a stunning array of guest contributors, including celebrated cello player and pianist Dave Eggar, guitarist Phil Faconti, Black Lillies front man Cruz Contreras and her band mates Jason Crawford (banjo, Mandolin), Jay Farmer (upright bass), Kevin Jackson (fiddle), and Justin Short (drums).

“I wrote a collection of songs to remind me, but also those around me, that it is perfectly acceptable to not apologize for loving yourself as the imperfectly perfect soul that you are,” Snapp says. “It is acceptable — no, imperative — to be proud of yourself and what you’ve worked for. It is important to not be ashamed for putting yourself out there for any reason – be it reaching out to another person, trying something new, doing hard things, or simply being yourself.”

Tickets for the concert are $15 and are available online at, www.EngageKingsport.com. By pre-ordering your ticket, you will be entered into a drawing for a featured item from a local business. Don’t Apologize will be available for purchase at the show, as well as other merchandise.

For more information, please visit EngageKingsport.com, or call 423-392-8414.