Riverside High students transform Painesville Township snowplows with artwork

The Painesville Township Service Department picked up the snowplows painted by Riverside High School art students on May 9.
The Painesville Township Service Department picked up the snowplows painted by Riverside High School art students on May 9. Tawana Roberts — The News-Herald
Riverside High School art students painted Painesville Township snowplows for the annual “Paint a Plow” program. The Service Department picked up the painted plows on May 9.
Riverside High School art students painted Painesville Township snowplows for the annual “Paint a Plow” program. The Service Department picked up the painted plows on May 9. Tawana Roberts — The News-Herald

For the third consecutive year, several Painesville Township snowplows have become moving canvases.

Through the annual “Paint a Plow” program, which is a partnership between the township and the Riverside School District, Riverside High School art students get the opportunity to paint snowplows that are used during the winter for snow removal.

Service Director Bill Thompson said it is great for the students, residents and service department employees.

“One of the guys always request the truck with the Disney design,” Thompson said when picking up the plows on May 9. “It’s just something nice to see in the winter and to showcase the students skills and creativity.”

The painted plows are also displayed during events including parades and Touch a Truck Day, he said.

Riverside Art Teacher Jessica Biller said a variety of designs were submitted to the township and they chose their top seven designs.

“This allows the township to choose what they like, but also helps include a variety of designs and grade levels,” she said. “Almost every year there is a Disney design, and this year there are two. There is no theme, this allows students to be as creative as possible with the surface they are given.”

Biller says the students used a combination of latex and acrylic paint.

“Painesville Township purchased the paint,” she said. “The township is a dream to work with. Students have the opportunity to serve their community in an interesting way, they provide a traveling art show that lasts an entire year. (They) receive experience with painting in an outdoor situation and have the opportunity to work directly with members of the township to create public art. It is a really enjoyable day for everyone.”

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