PaperSeed Foundation Honors Local Art Contest Winners

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.—On May 26, students, teachers, and parents joined with the PaperSeed Foundation board members, sponsors, and other community members at CellMark's gleaming new office building here to celebrate the winners of the First Annual Recycled Materials Art Competition for elementary school students.

PaperSeed, an organization that provides grants and programming for traditionally underserved communities around the world, was celebrating the winners, as well as exceptional participation from Marin County elementary school students. The children’s assignment: Create art from recyclable materials, a task they embraced with gusto. Winning pieces, along with photos of all submitted entries (which numbered in the hundreds) were on display at the CellMark office.

The kids were welcome to create their own pieces or collaborate on group projects. Teachers provided materials, instruction, and space for the projects to be completed.

"It was great to host everyone in this beautiful office space,” said Aliyya Mattos, the PaperSeed Foundation’s executive director. “We had a wonderful turnout and we will make sure the enthusiasm we saw Thursday carries on in subsequent years. In addition, the artworks the kids contributed were exceptional! The entire exercise was a great reminder to cultivate these youngsters’ incredible imaginations.”

Mattos also thanked local sponsors, who provided a broad range of delicious refreshments. These includedGreen Chile Kitchen, Picante San Rafael, Taylor Maid, Arizmendi Bakery, CellMark, and Mollie Stone’s Market.

Dan Cotter, a trader with CellMark Recycling, offered a few words to the youngsters about the importance of recycling. Additionally, Chance Shelley from Marin Sanitary Service spoke about local waste-hauling efforts, and Mattos presented winners with certificates and other prizes.

The PaperSeed Foundation works to strengthen educational opportunities for children and young people around the world. The nature of its work shifts depending on regional educational needs. For instance, many of its projects in Kenya focus on increasing school capacity by building classrooms, and addressing the barriers to education that affect girls. In the United States, PaperSeed tends to support programs that educate children about the environment and promote sustainable living.

Because PaperSeed has traditionally functioned as a grant-making organization, the Recycled Materials Art Competition was its first foray into direct local programming. Projects ranged from large group installations to individual portraits and collages, and everything was made from objects like plastic, cardboard, and tin, with traditional art supplies used for enhancement. Winning students received museum passes, and their classrooms were awarded mini-grants to purchase art supplies.

About the PaperSeed Foundation

The PaperSeed Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening educational opportunities for children and young people in underserved and resource-lacking communities around the world. PaperSeed seeks to create lasting impact, well after the organization has ceased to be directly involved, by granting seed money to community-based organizations with leaders who have demonstrated an ability to run sustainable, long-lasting initiatives. PaperSeed is grateful to CellMark, who underwrites all operating and administrative expenses for the foundation, thus allowing 100 percent of donations to directly benefit innovative leaders, entrepreneurs, and projects that strengthen education. The foundation operates on a global scale, and has the unique opportunity of working together with CellMark, business partners of CellMark and community-based organizations to bridge resource gaps and enhance children’s lives. Learn more at www.paperseed.org