Salem, N.J. — Mannington Mills hosted the 13th annual “Art is Cool” program at its company headquarters here on May 12. Started in 2003 by chairman Keith Campbell, the program recognizes Salem County (N.J.) high school students who exhibit talent in the arts. About 100 students, along with their parents and art teachers, attended the event.
Campbell began the evening by welcoming the group and explaining that “Mannington makes floors, and floors are art. It’s a fashion business; it takes a special eye, a special way of looking at things, to be successful. And we recognize that it takes talent and hard work to create any kind of art. We salute you for your talent, and for pursuing what you love.”
Winners were chosen from each grade level in each of the five Salem County high schools: Salem, A.P. Schalick, Penns Grove, Pennsville, and Woodstown. The Best of Show award went to Grace Carpenter of A.P. Schalick High School in Pittsgrove. Her work, “Best Friends,” is one in a series of 13 portraits of her dog, which she created for her final senior project.
This event has become a staple of the spring art show circuit in Salem County. “Mannington’s commitment to education and the arts is important to this community,” said Betsy Amoroso, senior director of marketing and corporate communications. “In a time when many of these programs are being cut from schools, we feel a responsibility to continue to reinforce how vital they are.”