Carmel Green Inititiative sponsors art exhibit

Carmel Green Initiative is sponsoring an Earth Week art exhibit on 37 W. Main Street in the Arts and Design District until May 8.

The annual contest is open to k-12 student, and the winners will be recognized by Carmel Mayor James Brainard on April 29 and will be given gift certificates from Nature’s Karma . According to Leslie Webb, one of the initiative’s board members, the purpose of the contest is to celebrate Earth Week and raise environmental awareness through art.

Webb said the art contest sends a positive message. “You can see in the artwork that students are learning about energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling, planting trees, growing your own food. driving less, carpooling and how these actions protect the environment for everyone,” she said.

Carmel green initiative is just a single example of the green movement that has been sweeping Carmel and the country over the past several years. The Carmel Clay school energy saving program has saved twelve million dollars in energy costs since its creation in 1995.

According to Webb, “There are more students involved in environmental and sustainability clubs at the high school, middle and elementary levels.  The school administration and the mayor continue to implement measures to save energy which saves tax dollars.  But when you look at other cities around the country and around the world, Carmel still has a lot to do.  One major feature that we sorely need is mass transit for Indianapolis and surrounding counties.  This is something Carmel Green Initiative hopes to work in the upcoming legislative session.”