08/17/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/17/2024 08:16
The results are in!
ADOT is proud to reveal the artwork submitted by participants of the Keep it Grand Art Challenge. Check out the artwork in this Flickr album.
Kids of all ages were challenged to grab their art supplies and color, doodle or paint the Keep it Grand logo. We asked for colorful images as a reminder of roadside beauty.
Colorful sun rays, desert wildlife and a super-spiny saguaro are some of the elements that caught our attention. Patriotic colors of the United States flag and the red and gold rays of the Arizona state flag portray great pride in our southwestern landscape and what a litter-free Arizona means to these young artists. Way to go!
This challenge is a great reminder to stash trash during outdoor activities, until it can be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
We appreciate the comments received from a couple of our artists, too. Here's what they had to say about roadside litter.
Aleah, a 14-year-old from El Mirage, said, "The problem with roadside litter is that it has numerous impacts on everything. Litter creates filthy landscape views due to litter disposed incorrectly. Litter also creates hazardous conditions to the wildlife, ranging from eating trash that may hurt or kill wildlife to litter left that is hot (cigarettes, abandoned cars) that may create a fire and devastate the area of plant and animal life."
Thank you for your response, Aleah. We hope that all travelers consider your wise observations.
Five-year-old Reilly from Phoenix, got right to the point: "Trash on the road makes it look ugly. We should put it in the trash."
We couldn't agree more, Reilly.
Artists received a printable certificate of appreciation for their entries, like the feature image shown above. Please visit the ADOT Kids website at azdot.gov/adotkids for more fun and educational activities and videos!