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So she contacted art teachers in the Middletown and Madison districts about having their students draw colorful pictures, then those drawings were converted to banners by Digital Visuals and wrapped around the concrete planters.
“Children’s artwork has always been pretty whimsical and colorful,” Manning said. “Planters without the banners can be pretty monotone.”
Local businesses have sponsored each of the planters, said Shelby Quinlivan, communications coordinator for the city. She said the city donated $500 to the project and the businesses spent about $3,000 to pay for the flowers and banners.
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As Manning stood near a planter sponsored by Pilot Chemical Co., she was asked what each planter represents.
“Color,” she said. “I love it. It makes me happy. Children’s artwork is a beautiful thing because you never know what you are going to get. Each one is so unique.”
She looked at some art and couldn’t decide if one drawing was a carrot or a tree.
“I think that is a sun,” she said pointing at another drawing. “A smiling sun.”
Manning and Quinlivan said they hope to extend the program to more planters and make it an on-going project, possibly seasonal. Manning said she would contact art teachers when the 2018-19 school year begins.
Businesses interested in sponsoring a planter can contact Quinlivan at 513-425-1812.
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