Pitney Bowes Foundation Supports Silvermine's Youth Art Program

NEW CANAAN, CT - From The Pitney Bowes Foundation: For the second year, The Pitney Bowes Foundation has supported Silvermine’s Art Partners studio art classes at Trailblazers Academy Middle School in Stamford with a $7500 art and literacy grant. These classes evolved from student requests to have studio art added totheir curriculum, and the success of last year’s program has meant an increase in the number of students taking the classes. With additional funds from an individual donor, the program has provided an art teacher and art supplies two days a week for 13 weeks. Students sign up for the classes, which are available to all grades at the Academy.

"We are so grateful to the Pitney Bowes Foundation for this grant, which provided the initial funding to make this important program happen. Students enhance their literacy skills through researching topics for their projects and learning artvocabulary. Before embarking on a project, they study the materials—their properties and the history of their use,” said Sophia Gevas, Director of Outreach Education at Silvermine Arts Center. “The process of making art focuses on finding solutions to visual problems, which involve skills essential to life-long learning, such as discipline and persistence. Our studio art program specifically focuses on critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. The evolution from last year’s program to this year is wonderful. Students come in eager to learn and often want to stay longer to complete their works and to discuss them.”

“The Pitney Bowes Foundation is proud to support students at Domus’ Trailblazer’s Academy. We know the positive impact that arts education programs have on helping students succeed academically. Arts education helps engage students in their studies, helps them grow motor and language skills, enhance their ability to communicate and express themselves, and develop innovation and decision-making skills. We wish Silvermine, Domus, and all of the students every success with this exciting initiative,” said Kathleen Ryan
Mufson, President of the Pitney Bowes Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Silvermine Arts Center