For Immediate Release
March 13, 2018
Contact: Kate Achelpohl, SGIA
703.359.1364
kate@sgia.org
Fairfax, Virginia — Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is proud to be an event sponsor for the third annual Fresh Artists–Cool Jobs Expo March 20–22, 2018, at Moulin at Sherman Mills in Philadelphia. The three-day career fair gives low-income youth in the Philadelphia region insight into 21st century creative careers.
“Cool Jobs was designed as an urgent response to learning that 52% of Philadelphia children drop out of school after eighth grade, an unfortunate metric seen in other large urban districts. Our aim is that Cool Jobs will spark dreams of exciting art-based careers that will keep these kids in school and moving toward high school graduation and jobs to love for life,” said Barbara Chandler Allen, Founder and CEO, Fresh Artists.
The event hosts 600 youth over the three-day expo. Most are from Philadelphia public schools, but Fresh Artists is also busing in students from Camden, New Jersey, and Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Students will rotate through personal presentations by professionals in a variety of creative industries — like graphic design, large-format printing, vehicle wrapping and prop fabricators for Saturday Night Live — who will discuss what it is like to work in those fields, why they love their work and how they got to their current positions.
“This program inspires students to make something of themselves, to be proud of who they are and what they do,” said Erin Nuss, Associate Manager of Education, SGIA.
SGIA is also partnering with Fresh Artists to create a “tour-kit” for members who want to guide plant tours for students. The kit will provide suggestions of activities to make the tour more engaging and educational.
“The goal will be the same: To get younger students interested in creative careers in print and graphic arts. There’s so much you can do in this field! Not every position requires a college degree. By inspiring them to find their dream job in the creative economy, we’re inspiring them to continue their education,” Nuss said.
The festivities begin March 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm with a fundraising preview party where attendees will mingle with creative presenters and enjoy a close-up look at the dramatic Cool Jobs Expo educational space. Event tickets are $25 and available at FreshArtists.org.
Editor’s Note: Members of the press are invited to attend the March 19 preview or observe at the student days of the Cool Jobs Expo. Contact Barbara Chandler Allen, Fresh Artists, for more information: bcallen@freshartists.org or 267.331.8614.
SGIA — Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is the trade association of choice for professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities looking to grow their business into new market segments through the incorporation of the latest printing technologies. SGIA membership comprises these diverse segments, all of which are moving rapidly towards digital adoption. As long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques, SGIA is the community of peers you are looking for to help navigate the challenges of this process. Additionally, the SGIA Expo is the largest trade show for print technology in North America. “Whatever the medium, whatever the message, print is indispensable. Join the community — SGIA.”
Fresh Artists
Fresh Artists, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2008 out of the necessity to keep art alive in underfunded public schools by engaging the children being served in the solution — donating the use of their art to support the purchase of art supplies and generating innovative art programming for their peers.