Schools

Brighton Ford Holds 12th Annual Holiday Window Painting Contest for Elementary Schools

One of four Brighton elementary schools will win the $3,000 grand prize and a trophy.

On Thursday,  will be defending its title as last year's winner of Brighton Ford's Holiday Window Painting contest.

For the past 12 years,  holds a window painting contest between the local elementary schools. Each school gets four large windows as its canvas. Then, during a gala event, people vote for which window they like best.

The winner receives a grand prize of $3,000 and the coveted trophy. Second place receives $1,000, and third and fourth place schools each get $500 for participating.

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Hornung Elementary Art Teacher Sandy Cavallaro said last year was her first time participating in the local car dealership's contest. It was also the first time Hornung has won the contest since 2006. The school's painting depicted Santa flying in a fancy car.

"We were thrilled because we didn't have a lot of art supplies," Cavallaro said. "It enabled us to allow every single child from each grade level to make a clay project - an actual clay, glazed, fire-kilned clay project."

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The prize money also bought new paintbrushes, crayons, new glazes, tempera paint and good quality paper -- all of which are basic supplies and were in much need of replacement, according to Cavallaro.

"Art supplies are so expensive and the prize money doubled our budget," she said. "Our kids were so lucky."

Last year, took second place, took third and came in fourth.

Each school choses which students will do the window painting each year. For Hornung, student council members came and outlined holiday animals in the snow, then the fourth grade choir finished the job by adding musical instruments the next night.

The Gala will be held on Thursday at Brighton Ford from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All community members are encouraged to attend the event, which will include photos with Santa, games, pizza and more. Voting will also take place and the winner of the 2011 contest will be announced.

“The Holiday Window Painting Gala allows us to bring the community together and help out the local schools,” said Scott Spitler, co-owner of Brighton Ford said in a press release. “It’s a fun night for the whole family that really kicks off the Holiday Season.”

For more information about the event, visit Brighton Ford on Facebook.


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