Antler River Rally (ARR) launches their 10th Anniversary River Cleanup and Creativity Contest, which aims to promote ecological stewardship and the health of Deshkan Ziibi.

The Antler River Rally Cleanup and Creativity Contest invites participants to create works of art (painting, drawings, poetry, fiction, photography, sculpture, video) that arise out of the experience of protecting and restoring Deshkan Ziibi/Thames River and the ecosystems it supports. This project aims to promote environmental vitality, motivate direct action, and inspire creative approaches to ecological challenges.  

LONDON, ON – As a part of the London Environmental Network’s Environmental Action Incubator program (EAI), the Antler River Rally Cleanup and Creativity Contest encourages people of all ages and abilities to attend an Antler River Rally cleanup, organize one of their own, or devise their own way to participate in river stewardship. Participants will then create and submit a piece of art that arises out of their actions to promote the health of Deshkan Ziibi/Thames River.

“The River Cleanup and Creativity Contest is designed to get more Londoners involved in protecting and restoring Deshkan Ziibi, and to emphasize the importance of creativity and art in helping us reimagine our relationship to the beautiful river that runs through our city,” says Tom Cull, founder of Antler River Rally.

 Antler River Rally cleanup held in October, 2020.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Antler River Rally is now hosting a series of smaller cleanups in garbage hotspots along the river in place of their regular cleanups. The Cleanup and Creativity Contest hopes to inspire Londoners to become involved and utilize their creativity in practicing ecological stewardship.

“The success of this project will be measured in the bags of garbage we divert from the river, the volunteers we attract to our organization, the love we foster for the river, and the art that arises out of the experience of river stewardship,” explains Cull.

Implementing efforts that benefit the health of the environment and the community are needed now more than ever, and will continue to be essential in the future. The Antler River Rally Cleanup and Creativity Contest is an important example of the community coming together to improve our environmental well-being. We encourage you to take part in this community initiative and submit your art by November 30th, 2021. The top submissions of each category (photography/film, written work, visual art) will receive cash prizes of $200, $100, $50 (Youth), or $25 (Youth).

GET INVOLVED - To learn more about the Antler River Rally Cleanup and Creativity Contest and other EAI projects, visit our website and social media platforms for project summaries, updates, and contact information. With support, these projects will be able to reach Londoners of all ages as we strive to create a greener and more resilient city to live in. If you have an idea for a project that reduces emissions, enhances waterways, and reduces waste, stay tuned for the 2022 EAI applications to open up!

This blog post was updated to reflect the extended deadline for contest submissions of November 30, 2021.