I’m not one to see the world in black and white. My mother was a trained painter, and my father and my grandfather were both in the printing business. I remember being captivated by the ink tubes at my father’s printing plant—electrifying shades of reds, yellows, and blues. I envision those bright colors whenever I’m designing.
There’s nothing more exciting than incorporating bold, vibrant colors to create lively, magical spaces that enrich lives. That’s why I’m an avid supporter of Publicolor, a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by my friend, industrial designer Ruth Lande Shuman. Publicolor targets at-risk students and engages them in the colorful transformation of their dreary, institutional-looking public schools. Safe spaces are created, and students who rarely receive positive attention are recognized as contributing members of the school community.
Publicolor uses design to create social change. It teaches students not only a marketable skill but also useful work habits, social skills, and academic tools—and they’re reminded of the fruits of their labor each day. Publicolor students gain the personal and professional skills needed to plan, design, execute, and complete a school transformation, and they also have the opportunity to teach both their peers and adult volunteers the painting skills they’ve honed through months of practice. Publicolor also provides students with literacy and SAT prep tutoring, life-skills workshops, and college and career counseling on a regular basis.
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To date, Publicolor has transformed 99 school buildings as well as 122 community sites such as homeless shelters, police precincts, and neighborhood health clinics. Its work affects the lives of more than 300,000 students, teachers, and residents of low-income neighborhoods. Many schools have reported a greater sense of pride and ownership among students, and lower rates of violence and graffiti. Publicolor’s afterschool program is the only one in which 100 percent of participating students’ work impacts 100 percent of the school community.
This month Publicolor will host its fourth annual Top Coat Paint Party, where guests will take paintbrush in hand and experience for themselves the power of a Publicolor makeover. Join us!
Publicolor’s Top Coat Paint Party takes place on Saturday, November 15, from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. at MS 31, Dr. Sun Yat Sen School, 100 Hester Street. For more information, visit publicolor.org.
