ST. PETERSBURG, FL – As part of its global community engagement efforts, PPG announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES™ project that helped to brighten and revitalize classrooms at Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg, Florida. In addition, the PPG Foundation donated $20,000 on behalf of PPG’s architectural coatings business to support the school’s science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Approximately 10 local volunteers from PPG and Lowe’s Commercial Painting used 25 gallons of PPG PAINTS™ products to beautify three of the school’s classrooms. Academy Prep students voted to select the new paint colors for creative learning environments, and they created and presented a colorful banner commemorating the project to display in the school.

The $20,000 PPG Foundation grant enables Academy Prep, which is a private, nonprofit organization, to purchase a well-known science, technology, engineering and math curriculum and provide training for teachers on the program, along with providing an after-school robotics program to students. This supports the school’s mission to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to become future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support.

“We are very thankful for the generosity of PPG and the PPG Foundation as they support our efforts to create more colorful learning experiences and brighter futures for our students,” said Gina Burkett, head of Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. “The colorful PPG Paints products beautifully refreshed the important spaces where our students learn and spend much of their time. And, like PPG, we believe in empowering today’s students with education to inspire tomorrow’s scientists, mathematicians and innovators.”

Premium PPG Paints products, including PITT GLAZE^® WB1, were used to protect and beautify three classrooms. Academy Prep students selected a custom color palette including vibrant colors such as PPG Paints Minerva (PPG1231-3), Flemish Blue (PPG1238-3), Always Blue (PPG1156-3), Copper River (PPG1196-5), Artesian Well (PPG1231-5) and Rojo Colonial (PPG13-15). Specifically designed with a washable formula that withstands the rigorous cleaning and wear and tear in schools, PPG Paints brand Pitt Glaze product was selected for the walls of the classrooms.

PPG operates eight PPG Paints stores in the St. Petersburg and Tampa area.