PPG employee volunteers and community members completed nine COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® projects in July 2021, transforming schools and other community spaces across Europe and the United States.
COLORFUL COMMUNITIES projects brighten schools, spaces across the world
Read on to learn how our employees came together to beautify important community spaces in the areas where we live and work.
Europe, Middle East, Africa, French Overseas and Suriname
For three weekends in July, more than 50 PPG and community volunteers beautified the bedrooms, hallways and other spaces within Maison de l’Enfance et de la Famille du Valenciennois (MEF) in Artres, France. The facility, which is home to children in fragile situations who are displaced from their family homes, now includes comforting and “home-like” décor. PPG color experts selected shades such as light pink to promote good humor, bright blue to symbolize escapism and to promote better sleep, and a soft green to create a sense of freshness.
A new, colorful mural, created by artist Fabian de Randamie, depicts equality, education, respect, freedom and peace at a primary school in Paramaribo, Suriname. To bring this mural to life, PPG teamed up with Interact Club, an organization focused on providing students the opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects. Meanwhile in Stowmarket, United Kingdom, PPG employees created bright, colorful spaces at the Crawford’s CEVC Primary School.
United States
In Santa Ana, California, the Orange County Educational Arts Academy (OCEAA), a public, independent charter school specializing in Spanish Dual Language immersion programming and serving over 600 students, received a colorful makeover of the school’s playground space. The playground features 10,000 feet of immersive, one-of-a-kind artwork to create a unique educational experience outside of the classroom.
For students returning to the classroom this fall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, more than 120 PPG employees revitalized three local schools as part of the annual Colorful Communities Day of Caring in partnership with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Bringing fresh color to classrooms and lively murals to common spaces, the PPG volunteers created encouraging, welcoming spaces for students and educators.
To learn more about the Colorful Communities program and see past projects, click here.