This is very cool. The Spokane Arts Commission and Wastewater Management are looking for student-designed manhole covers to be placed throughout the city. Selected covers will be used at the start of the 2010 summer and contestants have to be citizens of the City of Spokane and the age of 18 or under.

Student artists must submit their work within criteria, which can be found on the Spokane Arts Commission website, www.spokanearts.org/hottopics.aspx. The designs will be evaluated by members of the staff of Wastewater Management, Spokane Arts Commission, and community representatives. Submissions should be sent to Manhole Cover Art Contest, Attn: Gary Kaesemeyer, City of Spokane, 909 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane, WA 99202. Deadline is Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 3 p.m. PST. Questions on the submission process or the project may be addressed to: Gary Kaesemeyer, City of Spokane Wastewater Management (509) 625-7909 or Karen Mobley, Arts Director, City of Spokane (509) 625-6050.

According to the city press release, “the projects intent is to enhance the visual appearance of the City of Spokane manhole covers. While all designs should be visually appealing to all ages, they should also be reflective of the City of Spokane and communicate a sense of place. Designs may reflect the environment, nature, water, water qualities or landscape of the Pacific Northwest.”

Image of Japanese manhole cover.

-February 22nd Monday 11:30am Building Stronger Neighborhoods Committee, Molly’s Restaurant, 224 S. Lincoln

-February 22nd Monday 6:00pm City Council Legislative Meeting, City Council Chamber, Lower Level, City Hall.

-February 24th Wednesday 11:30am. City Plan Commission, City Council Briefing Center, Lower Level, City Hall. Agenda includes: 11:30 a.m. – Commission Briefing Session. 12:15 p.m. – Commission Workshop: 12:15 p.m. – Cottage/Infill Housing; 12:45p.m. – Public Participation Process for 6-year Programs; 1:15 p.m. – Plan Commission web site; 1:45 p.m. – Implementation of the Master Bike Plan. Public Comment Period immediately following (15 minutes allotted)

-February 24th Wednesday 5:00pm. Design Review Committee, City Council Briefing Center, Lower Level, City Hall

-February 25th Thursday 11:00am-5:00pm Community Building Farmer’s Market, Community Building Lobby, 35 W. Main

-February 25th Thursday 3:00pm-5:00pm Land Use and Environmental Law Primer. Learn about laws impacting land use and environmental protection in Washington and Idaho from attorneys with years of experience in the field. Magic Lantern Theatre, 25 West Main.

-February 25th Thursday 7:00pm. Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood Council, Wilson Elementary, 911 W. 25th Ave.

-February 26th Friday 9:00am Council Of Governments ,Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St.