The Roots ‘N’ Blues ‘N’ BBQ Festival here in Columbia is about more than some rippin’ guitar riffs and beefy brisket — it’s about community.

Thumper Entertainment is backing a project with local artists, some of whom work out of downtown studios, to brighten our community a bit more with some beautiful, not to mention meaningful, art. Nine artists have taken on the task to paint the downtown storm drains in their own unique styles to raise awareness about the effects of storm-drain littering. Who would want to throw a Kaldi’s cup onto an impressive piece of art? Not I. This artistic endeavor will kick color into our downtown and make law-breaking litterers think twice. It’s a win-win.

**Mike Sleadd**

Mike Sleadd happens to be in charge of leading the decorative endeavor of storm drain art, and he is one qualified man. He received his master’s degree in drawing and graphic design from MU. (Shoutout to the alum!) And now, after 40 years in the art world, Sleadd is a graphic design professor and the art department chairman at Columbia College. His inked drawing style has been incorporated into his storm drain design as a painting this time.

“I must say that this piece isn’t particularly ‘unique’ in style from my other work, except that it is a painting, and I generally draw,” Sleadd says. “To accomplish the look of an ink drawing on the sidewalk was the challenge. I believe that my tiger is somewhat Asian in style and looks nothing like Truman.”

Sleadd’s work is located on the corner of Elm and Seventh streets and is just begging to be loved — not littered on!

**Maura Mudd**

Maura Mudd, also one of the chosen few assigned a storm drain, studied graphic design at William Woods University and is currently freelancing as a graphic designer for her own business, Miz Mudd. A message about littering Mudd describes as “not too preachy,” her design includes the inspiring motto, “This Earth Connects Us All.” Along with that mantra, Mudd’s painting features a serene koi pond, complete with fish and lily pads, flowing peacefully over the sidewalk at the corner of Locust and Fifth streets.

“I wanted to allow people to interpret it however they want, but I hope they think about the message as they walk by — about how this earth connects all animals and people, and how we all should do our part to keep it beautiful, regardless of our differences,” Mudd says.

**Jenny McGee**

Jenny McGee has created art in many facets, in all corners of the Earth, while holding tight to one mantra: “Nothing is so wretched that it cannot be redeemed by art.” From her every life experience, from breaking her leg in 20 places to overcoming and recovering from cancer, McGee has taken darkness and transformed it into triumphant art. For this project, however, McGee used her experiences from living in El Salvador, where her heart and her eyes were opened to the struggles of thousands of people who combat the human need for water with the worldly problem of not being able to obtain it.

“I learned that, in comparison, my family and I have basically won the lottery to live in the United States,” McGee says. “Everyone deserves clean water to drink, and I believe education is critical toward keeping our city water clean. I hope that my mural can help communicate that all storm drains go straight to local waterways, and the only thing that should go down a storm drain is rain water.”

With her summer intern, Zophia McDougal, by her side, McGee created a described “eccentric octopus” in her mural that incorporates instruments and a salty warning to all who come near: “No shenanigans down the chute.” This tentacled attraction can be spotted on the corner of Fourth and Cherry streets.

_Check out more of the storm drain projects [here](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2012/9/3/storm-drain-art-profiles-dennis-murphy-jane-mudd-a/) and [here](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2012/8/31/storm-drain-art-showcase-rootsn-blues-festival/)_.