Tiles for America Contest at Color Me Mine in Summit, NJ

Summit, NJ, July 24, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Color Me Mine, Summit’s local paint-your-own-pottery studio, is sponsoring a contest for aspiring artists of all ages to render the tiles that will represent our city and state on Tiles For America, a memorial to the victims of September 11th that has been built in New York City. The studio invites people of all ages and ability levels to enter the contest by painting a tile in one of two categories at the studio between now and August 31st. One category encompasses a tile that lists a portion of the names of the victims of the World Trade Center, the ill-fated flights, or the Pentagon. The second category incorporates tiles representing Summit, New Jersey with uplifting artwork or message. Entries will be on display at the studio throughout the months of July and August. At the end of August, the studio owner will select the best tile in each category to be submitted to the final contest held in New York City.

Tiles for America is one of only two spontaneous memorials to 9/11 remaining in New York City and remains a celebration of the human spirit. Thousands of visitors continue to flock daily to this installation at the corner of 7th Avenue and 11th Street, across from the hospital to which victims of the tragedy were taken. Originally begun as a one woman effort by New York studio owner Lorrie Veasey, it has grown to encompass almost a full city block and holds close to 5,000 tiles thanks to the participation of Paint your own Pottery Studios across the USA and Europe. Tiles for America has been featured in the New York Times and in the HBO documentary September 11th. You can read more about Tiles for America and the nationwide contest at www.tilesforamerica.com.

Recently, the memorial experienced some vandalism. Veasey reports that vandals smashed hundreds of the tiles using a hammer. That loss, coupled with the fact that the city requested and received a portion of the fence for the three year temporary memorial at Ground Zero, has lead to a renewed call to action for both old and new participants in this project. The goal is to represent all the victims of that tragic day, as was originally done.

Color Me Mine of Summit will donate 100% of all proceeds from tiles created in this contest to the Alysia Burton Basmajian Scholarship Fund at William and Mary College and the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation. For more information, please contact Ann Mills at (908) 598-0248 or email summit@colormemine.com.

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