Atlanta high school students auction paintings at Atlanta Airport to raise money for art supplies

BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers flying into or out of Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will now be greeted by 14 original pieces of art, created by local Atlanta-area high school students.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110107/NY26567LOGO )

The new art installation is part of a fundraising effort by the Atlanta airport authority and Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services.  Delaware North supplied six area high schools with canvases, paints and brushes, instructing the young artists to simply express themselves.

Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services – a division of Delaware North Companies, one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world – operates in more than 25 airports across the globe.

"Our goal with this project is to provide much-needed funds for art supplies within high schools," said Matt King, president of Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services. "It's all part of Delaware North's commitment to serve the communities in which we do business."

"Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is not only a hub for travel, but we are also a strong community partner," said Hartsfield-Jackson general manager Louis Miller. "Our innovative collaboration with Delaware North will enable us to celebrate the creative talents of our youth, share their artwork with millions of travelers at the busiest passenger airport in the world, and raise the necessary funds for art programs at these local schools." 

Interested bidders may find out more about the artwork, artists, and bid on the paintings online at www.DNCforthearts.org.

Delaware North is currently in the process of bringing dozens of new restaurant concepts to Concourses D and T in the Atlanta airport, including local favorites Grindhouse Killer Burgers and Yoforia, as well as GA Grown – a concept featuring exclusively locally sourced food.

With construction of new restaurants in Concourse D currently going on, temporary walls were erected inside the terminal. The local Atlanta students' paintings were recently put on display on the walls, and this month, the paintings will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to the students' respective schools. The auction itself will take place online at www.DNCforthearts.org.

All of the art supplies were purchased locally in Atlanta at Utrecht, and local delivery service Ship 'n Pax was used for transportation. 

About Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services 
Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, is one of the world's leading airport food service and retail companies, operating 300 restaurants and retail outlets in more than 25 airports worldwide, and serving more than 350 million customers each year. Its award-winning operations include airports throughout the United States, such as Los Angeles International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, as well as international airports such as Melbourne International Airport in Australia and Heathrow Airport in London.

About Delaware North Companies 
Delaware North Companies is one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and 55,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.      

SOURCE Delaware North Companies