So much art! So much talent! The paper project comes to an end.

The Paper Project has come to an end- the children have used the paper and created some extraordinary crafts.  There were hats, ornaments, signs and holiday pictures.  The students got really creative and the products are amazing.  And without further ado, the winner of the additional $250 gift card is...

Licking Valley Local Schools!

Teachers Kristin Dennis and Kellie Caplin asked their students to create fall-themed projects in the style of Juan Miro and Jackson Pollock.  These two teachers help close to 900 students, from kindergarden to 5th grade, express their inner creativity with funds raised just as creatively.  Old Trail Printing couldn't be more proud of every single student and teacher who participated in the paper project- the overwhelming gratitude for such a basic need like paper supports Old Trail's original reason for donating it in the first place.  So many schools have seen their art budgets slashed over the past few years that even just their basic needs go unmet.  Old Trail Printing is just so happy to be able to give even just a little back.

The paper project means even more to me, as an art student.  I have studied how art has progressed since the beginning of time and a part of my goal in life is to foster young artists; to give them the opportunity to be creative in any way possible.  This project was organized with the goal of helping local kids find a different outlet for their energy. With all the budget cuts, it's no wonder why children these days go home and play video games.  They cant play sports without paying an arm and a leg for "pay to play" and the proper equipment.  They cant make art because there are no supplies.  It is safer to have them go home, do homework and sit inside the rest of the evening.  Granted, this is not always the case, but isn't it our duty to help improve the lives of everyone in our community?  I think so.  My family thinks so.  Old Trail Printing thinks so.  We hope that this project inspires creativity in these children, directing their energy towards something that can help them be better citizens in the future.  By creating art in school now they are actually learning how to think outside the box later in life when the tasks are more business-driven.  Also, Old Trail hopes that some of these students continue to pursue the arts and after college come back to work for companies just like us, keeping print current and competitive with possibly more popular or trendy forms of marketing.

I could go on and on in circles about how happy I am that this project was a success and how I cannot wait to do it again next year, but that would just bore you to death.  Instead, take a look at some of the images of the winning school's projects and think about how you can improve your community.

 
                         

Written by Julianne Kaercher, Social Media/Marketing Consultant
"The cultivation of a hobby and new forms of interest is a policy of first importance to a public man"
-Winston Churchill