November 29, 2012
For Immediate Release

University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Cheryl Kamenski (801) 863-6351

Utah Valley University is asking students and members of the community to donate unused sketchbooks that UVU art students will then adorn with words and drawings to encourage recipients to be creative. UVU plans to donate the sketchbooks to local hospitals and shelters so recipients have an outlet to express themselves.

“The pages in the sketchbooks will mostly be left empty so their new owners can sketch, write or do whatever they want,” said Melissa Hempel, interim director/curator of UVU’s Woodbury Art Museum, which is joining with UVU’s art education program on this project. “Some of the pages will have suggestions to inspire recipients artistically, such as ‘Draw a sunset.’”

UVU art education students and faculty spoke with the museum to partner on the project to take part in a collaborative effort that will benefit others in the community.

Organizers hope to collect 100 sketchbooks through Dec. 15. To donate, drop off an unused sketchbooks or bound books with empty paper of any size at the Woodbury Art Museum, located in University Mall, 575 W. University Parkway in Orem, on the second floor between the Gap and the former Nordstrom location. The museum is open Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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About UVU

Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and is home to more than 30,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community school, state college and, finally a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees, with emphasis on undergraduate education.