SpringHill Suites Donates Art Carts to Inspire Students Nationwide

BETHESDA, Md., May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of its Save Art! initiative, SpringHill Suites by Marriott is donating 350 Paint Chip Art Carts to under resourced schools across the country. With these donations, SpringHill Suites recommits to supporting art in schools and reenergizes its two-year partnership with Fresh Artists, a non-profit organization that brings quality art supplies and innovative art programs to teachers in need.

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"The ability to blend our longstanding spirit to serve with the brand's passion for the arts makes this a perfect partnership," said Loren Nalewanski, vice president and global brand manager for SpringHill Suites. "We know that art plays such an important role in a child's development and we are proud that these Art Carts will provide a creative outlet for students and schools in need."  

Earlier this year, the brand invited Fresh Artists to participate in its bi-annual General Managers Conference in Washington, D.C., where more than 300 General Managers worked together to create Paint Chip Art Carts, which serve as a ready-made art program complete with a curriculum that teachers can provide their students. As a result of the activity at the conference, Art Carts were donated and delivered to Washington D.C.-area schools earlier today. The Paint Chip Art Carts contain supplies for a mosaic project that upcycles "throw-away" paint chips. Supplies in the kit make this program easy for teachers and up to 75 students with a lesson plan, a box of yellow chalk and chamois squares for sketching and two books written by Fresh Artists about how children can make a difference in the world, helping other children with their art.

"Paint Chip Art is a fun, easy and impactful lesson plan utilizing a previously unknown resource," said Barbara Chandler Allen, founder and president of Fresh Artists. "Art education has proven to aid in both social and academic development, however with many schools under budget constraints, it's one of the first things cut. We're thrilled to partner with SpringHill Suites to continue art education throughout the country despite limited resources and budgets."

SpringHill Suites' Save Art! Program is part of the brand's ongoing commitment to the celebration and promotion of local art, raising nearly $100,000 in the first two years of its partnership with Fresh Artists. Every SpringHill Suites hotel across the U.S. and Canada will kick off its annual local Save Art! fundraising campaign in July and will continue through the summer months.

For more information on the Save Art! program and SpringHill Suites, visit www.springhillsuites.com.

About SpringHill Suites by Marriott

SpringHill Suites is designed for both the business and leisure traveler, offering modern amenities and stylish spaces at more than 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Amenities include sleek, modernly appointed lobbies with free Wi-Fi; suites with dedicated work spaces, free Wi-Fi and ergonomic chairs; kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges and coffee service; and pool, spa and fitness centers with free weights and cardio equipment. At the cutting edge of consumer engagement, SpringHill Suites is the winner of a 2013 Platinum Adrian Award for Digital Marketing and a 2014 Gold Ex Award. SpringHill Suites participates in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, call the SpringHill Suites toll-free number at 888-287-9400, visit www.springhillsuites.com, become a fan at www.facebook.com/springhillsuites or follow the brand at www.twitter.com/springhillsuite.

About Fresh Artists

Fresh Artists is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides art supplies and programs to under-resourced public schools. In exchange for financial contributions, corporations and individuals receive gifts of high-quality reproductions of student-donated art. Since 2008, the talent and generosity of more than 1000 young artist-philanthropists has delivered the value of more than $500,000 in supplies and programs to schools in 40 states.  Large-scale reproductions have been installed in more than 200 corporate facilities, hospitals and hotels. Visit www.freshartists.org.

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SOURCE SpringHill Suites by Marriott

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