Publicolor celebrated their Stir, Splatter + Roll 21st Anniversary Gala at the Metropolitan Pavilion raising nearly $1.3 million dollars

Photo Credit Annie Photo Credit Annie Watt/anniewattagency.com

Writer: Yerelyn Cortez Hidalgo

Publicolor celebrated their Stir, Splatter & Roll Gala on Monday, May 22nd, 2017 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and raised nearly $1.3 Million Dollars to improve the lives of neglected NYC public school students, teachers, and communities.

Metropolitan Pavilion was colorfully transformed into an artists loft with various painting stations where guests had an opportunity to paint an array of bags to raise money and auction off the items. In addition, they savored on colorful cocktails and mixed drinks and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction that included artworks from Christo and Mark di Suvero. This year's featured speaker was NYC School Chancellor Carmen Fariña who praised Publicolor's programs and determination to make college an attainable goal for all students.

Ruth Lande Shuman started Publicolor in 1996 in order to help low-income students’ with problems such as failing school high drop-out rates, dreary often prison-like facilities, deteriorated environment of most schools in low-income neighborhoods, and how these were negatively affecting the performance of teachers and students alike, Ms. Shuman started the Paint Club program. Organizing struggling students to paint their schools’ interiors so they’d be warm, welcoming and visually stimulating. A multi-day multi-year continuum of project-based learning programs ensured, thereby empowering hundred of their students, to be successful in school, work, and life. Now, 21 years later, Publicolor has painted 227 middle and high schools, 214 community sites and playgrounds, awarded 256 students multi-year college scholarships (132 scholarships this year alone), and worked with 23,000 volunteers. And been recognized twice at the White House with national awards.

This year Publicolor honored longtime board member and now board chair emeritus Deven Parekh and his wife, Monika, for their invaluable leadership and their steadfast generosity, and Barbara + Donald Tober in recognition of all their work to advance design and education in NYC. A posthumous award was given to the distinguished design consultant and founding board member of Publicolor Jeffrey J. Osborne. A special Catalysts for Change Award was presented to the architects Diller Scofidio and Renfro for their incredible work changing the landscape of NYC with Elizabeth Diller accepting the award.

Aaron Green, Mill Account Manager, Antron Fiber; Scott Patton, Director Business Development, Antron Fiber; Suzanne Tick, Suzanne Tick Inc.; Len Ferro, President, Tandus Centiva; Diane Martel, VP Environmental Planning and Strategy, Tarkett North America presented a check of $157,799.85 to Ruth Lande Shuman, for the non-profit's Summer Design Studio. The three companies, Antron Fiber, Suzanne Tick Inc., and Tandus Centiva, annually donate proceeds from education flooring sales to Publicolor's Summer Design Studio program.

The evening closed with a rousing rendition of Marvin Gaye's Ain't No Mountain High Enough by dozens of Publicolor students accompanied by JaLessa Beavers, which brought the crowd to their feet.

For more information about Publicolor, click here.