Friday, March 19 was our first ever Barrel Roll in conjunction with our Rain Barrel Art Review. We had 13 artists design and paint rain barrels, and one more barrel was completed by children at the Sustainable Living Fair in the fall of 2009. Three of the barrels were at Orr St. Studios during the reception, and the rest were at their host locations around downtown Columbia.

The evening began at 5:00 p.m. Visitors passed through the gallery, picking up maps of where the barrels were located around town and did the Barrel Roll, seeing them all and enjoying the amazing weather. We had two computers up and running for people to begin bidding on the barrels on eBay.

Paul Grace provided some bluegrass music from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Then attendees voted on People’s Choice, which we announced as Katrina Thomas and Stirling Williams. We also announced our Jurors’ Choice Awards as the Kellenberger Family, Josie Cozean and Thomas Matthew Pierson.  After announcements we enjoyed the musical stylings of Logan and Hunter Park.

There were about 75-85 people in attendance at Orr St. Studios, not counting any people who did the Barrel Roll but didn’t stop by Orr St Studios. There were also reporters from MU’s The Maneater, the Missourian and KOMU TV; we were so excited to have so much media attention spreading the news of stormwater conservation.

MRCN would like to thank Boone Electric Cooperative Community Trust for funding the event, and all of our sponsors who provided prizes for the artists. We also thank the artists for providing their time, expertise and talent, and the host locations for sharing their spaces and welcoming the many Barrel Rollers. We think the night was a success, and many, many people were made aware of the possible beauty and uses of rain barrels.