NOVEMBER’S PUBLICOLOR PRIMER EVENT

In November nearly 300 adults and kids, Publicolor students and alumni, attended Publicolor's Annual Primer Painting Party at the Louis D. Brandeis High School (145 W 84th St, New York, New York 10024).

Publicolor's Primer party gives families the unique opportunity to help transform an under-resourced New York City public school, so low-income students can spend their days in a warm, welcoming and safe environment that is conducive to learning. Guests of all ages rolled up their sleeves and painted vibrant colors on walls, doors and in stairwells with Publicolor staff, students and alumni. Younger guests enjoyed face-painting, creating art, splatter-painting Publicolor t-shirts, and games.

The 2017 Primer Painting Party was chaired by Alex + Michael Shuman and supported by committee members Molly + Frank Green, Arielle Tepper Madover + Ian Madover, Loraine + Tom Morgan, Michelle Smith + Andy Oshrin, Nina + Mike Patterson, Jessica Romm + Tony Perez, Melissa Crandall + Connor Schell, Priya + Karan Sehgal, Lili Rosenberg Siegelson + Lee Siegelson, Joanna + David Silver, and Allison Jaffin + Seth Unger.

Guests included: Celine Rattray, Katrina Pavlos, Darcy Miller Nussbaum, Rebekah and Colin McCabe, Michelle Smith

Eli Diker returned to Louis D. Brandeis High School right before Thanksgiving as part of his bar mitzvah celebration. In the spirit of "tikkum olam," or working towards a better world, Eli along with 80 of his friends and family members, will continue painting the school transformation. This particular school is all the more meaningful for this event as Louis D. Brandeis was the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice.

Publicolor empowers struggling public school students to prepare for success in college, career, and life. The work of Publicolor begins with the simple act of picking up a paintbrush, as students add vibrant colors to the walls of their own struggling schools, helping transform drab, institutional spaces into stimulating and welcoming learning environments. The at-risk students who continue in Publicolor's long-term design-based programs keep participating in weekly academic tutoring sessions, as well as weekly community service projects, college preparation workshops and career readiness workshops through high school. They work alongside volunteers, parents, and teachers and Publicolor staff to make positive changes in their lives and in their neighborhoods. And despite Publicolor's focus on high-risk students, the organization continues to achieve great success. Last year, 98% of Publicolor students graduated high school on time, verses 64% citywide. 100% of high school graduates went on to college verses 46% of low-income peers nationwide. 84% of Publicolor students graduated college-ready, not requiring remedial classes in their first year, vs. 34% of their peers. And 100% of Publicolor students are offered a college scholarship.

If you are interested in learning more about hosting a socially responsible event with Publicolor, contact anna@publicolor.org. Visit their website at http://publicolor.org.