Painted

 

"Nothing splendid was ever created in cold blood. Heat is required to forge anything. Every great accomplishment is the story of a flaming heart." -Arnold H. Glasow

From a conversation on the beach, to a possible project idea, to a proposal, to an approval, to the walls, to an accomplishment. This project has been the most life changing and eye opening experience of my life. Over the past three months I have began to appreciate the small things. Kennesaw Step Up is a microcosm in the universe and in the end, it is not going to change the way every human on this planet perceives stair usage; it is not even going to influence 75% of KSU's population. However, what I did and what I produced holds great value. Yes, I will reach out to a mass number of people and at least grab the attention of the Central Parking Deck users. I gained so much experience and life skills from this project that would be impossible to glean from a lecture. I have discovered my passion and it has given me a direction in my life. This experience has been invaluable. 

One thing that drives my passion is support. I have support from my peers, from my professors, from my family, from my friends, from past and present teachers, from co-workers, from various departments on campus, and from student organizations. It's extremely encouraging to know that there are other people out there that believe in my idea and my mission with Kennesaw Step Up. I had over 40 volunteers come out and help paint the stairs on November 22 and 23. To me, they were more than just volunteers. I had the chance to connect with them on a individual basis over the two days. I wanted them to understand that what they were doing was more than just earning X amount of community service hours. They were given the opportunity to put their handprint on the wall, literally, leaving their mark on campus. I thought that this would be a really great way to encourage my volunteers to put 100% into their work. 

I am so thankful I had the opportunity and support to make this project come to life. My professor was amazing throughout the whole process. Coming into college, I never thought that I would have a professor that would go out of his/her way to connect with me on an individual basis; I just assumed I would be a name on a roster in the midst of 150 other students. This impression was completely wrong! My First Year Seminar professor has believed in me since Day 1 and has put her heart into helping me achieve my goals. I'm so blessed to have ended up in this class, with this teacher who has been an amazing supporter, advisor, mentor, and friend. I couldn't have accomplished this without her help. 

Hard work pays off. After the freshly painted stairs debuted on Monday, November 25, 2013, there was a lot of positive talk regarding the campaign. Many faculty and staff members are aware of the project and have discussed a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the stairs and showcase the murals to the public. A lot of this is just surreal to me. I can't believe that something I did is causing so much talk.

Just a few pictures from the Mural Project:

First we had to scrub the walls. 

The first stroke of primer!

 

Let the painting begin!

 

Kennesaw Step Up is far from over and so much more than a class grade. I will continue on with this project for several years to come and I hope to see it grow and expand even more. Why stop now? We've already conquered the second largest parking deck in Georgia, everything else should be a breeze! 

Again, to whomever is reading this, please know that I appreciate your support more than anything in this world. It makes my heart happy to know that there are people out there who believe in me and my project, and thats more than I could ever ask for. 

Creatively, 

Climb On!

We're On Fire

It's wild to think that we are painting the stairs in less than a week. How did time by go so fast?! There are moments when I just want to control the universe with a remote and pause time.But--we have no time to waste at this point. I got in contact with Jessie Blowers, the student that organized the KSU Peace Project two years ago. It was so cool getting to talk to someone who also accomplished a big project. She gave Becca and I some helpful advice on becoming a registered student organization and encouragement to keep on going.

Did I mention that we are painting the stairs in less than a week?

Oh, and KSU wrote a check for $1,500 to Sherwin Williams, covering the cost of all of the paint and supplies! How cool is that?!

But..we want to feed our volunteers on the paint day, so we had a bonfire fundraiser on campus today.







We sold s'mores and hot chocolate for $1! We made some extra dollars, but not nearly what I planned for. Too bad there's not many people who walk by the green wanting to roast marshmallows. This world is too fast paced. If people took a chance to slow down and actually listen, I think more good could be accomplished. I did meet some awesome people who were interested in helping out with my project though. You can't put a price on support. I'd prefer encouragement over a dollar any day.

For the next week, I will eat, breathe, and sleep Kennesaw Step Up.

Climb On!

Level One: COMPLETE

 

It's official. Kennesaw Step Up is approved to paint the Central Parking Deck stairs! It's such an incredible feeling to know that my idea is going to transpire into something amazing. Who would have thought that my casual conversation on the beach with my cousin would lead to this? I am juggling A LOT with school, my job and this project. It's going to be a challenge to accomplish this in the midst of finals week, but I know that I can do it. 

Now that we have approval, I can reach out to volunteers with concrete dates and times. The university is willing to fund the cost of the paint, however we are looking for ways to fund/supply the other necessities: brushes, tarps, trays, rollers, etc. This week will be dedicated to writing out sponsorship letters and "adopt-a-level" forms to hand out to the various on-campus organizations. 

The other day, the project manager of the KSU Plant department dropped off Sherwin-Williams paint samples for me to choose colors. It feels so official and it's so encouraging to know that this IS happening. We have LESS than 20 days to set Kennesaw Step Up in motion. Let's get it started! 

Keep On Climbing! We're ALMOST to the top!

Just Keep Swimming (Climbing)

Last week I got down to business. After hours of researching, preparing, writing, editing and drinking coffee, I completed the proposal. It's like my child. I have been showing it off to everyone and basking in its greatness. I submitted it and received positive responses which is such a good feeling! Hopefully I will know wether or not this is a go by the end of this week. Also, in the same week, I received emails from people who saw my flyer! How cool is that?! 

On my way to the Social Science building I always see cool chalk art murals on this wall. The other day on my way to class, I actually saw the artist in action! I got the chance to stop and talk to him for a second about my project. He seemed eager to know more and help. I'm blown away by his talent and I think he will be a great addition to our creative team! 

Stephanie Hartrick produced some awesome sketches for the proposal and I added on some ideas for the murals! 

Kennesaw Step Up has already accomplished so many great things. We've concurred the first flight of stairs my friends, but for now, like Dory says, we have to "just keep swimming" or in other words:

Just Keep Climbing!

Bring It On!

It's crunch time for Kennesaw Step Up! I've been working extremely hard, preparing the proposal and getting it ready to submit by Monday. The biggest problem I have encountered so far is obtaining committed volunteers. I hung the fliers up last week and have not received any responses. I contacted KSU Visions via email but did not receive a reply. I am going to post on the KSU Visions Facebook page opening up the opportunity to members. Hopefully that will be a much more effective way to get volunteers! Another girl I work with is on the Panhellenic board at KSU and she said she will mention my project to the sororities on campus as a way to earn community service hours. Hopefully some of the sorority girls are willing to put their crafting skills to good use!

Tentative dates for the project are November 22-23. Stephanie has been working diligently on the sketches for the floor plans and she said she will have them for me by Sunday night! Well, I'm off to work on the proposal! 

Climb On! 

 

It's The Climb

I realized two things this week.

1. This project is becoming so much more than I ever imagined.


2. And sleep is good!

But thats the amazing thing about this! When I first thought of the idea for this project, I never considered how much it would impact my life. I find myself thinking about it constantly, talking about it every chance I get, and today, I was stalking down art students and freelance side-walk-chalkers on campus to tell them about my idea. It's becoming apart of my life.

If you scroll through my recent pictures on my camera roll, all you would see is pictures of the stairs. I have climbed the central deck stairs many times this week, taking pictures of every angle and colored door. I'm trying to get a good feel for what I have to work with. A girl I work with, Stephanie,  is a KSU alumni who graduated with an Art Degree . She Is helping me out more than I could ask for. I told her about my project at work the other day, the next thing I knew I was over at her house watching her sketch out incredible 3D floor plans of the stairs. She is working on designs for each level of the deck according to theme. For each floor we chose possible themes for the paintings:

For the 8th level (not pictured above): KSU 50th Anniversary Theme

7th level ( Purple): American Cancer Society

6th level (Orange): Inspirational/ Motivational

5th level (Blue): Sky/ fluffy white clouds

4th level (Red): Heart health

3rd level (green): Go Green/ nature/ eco-friendly

2nd level (yellow): Sunshine and sunflowers

Conner, from the other section of Be The Change, made some awesome fliers seeking "Creative Minds" ! I hung these up around the Visual Arts building and passed them out to some art students hoping to gather a few artists to volunteer!

Kennesaw Step Up is making some serious progress and from here on out each day will deliver something new! Over the course of the next week, me and my team will be putting together a proposal to present to the KSU Department of Parking and Transportation! Exciting (and extremely busy) week ahead!

Climb on and spread the love!

Kennesaw Step Up!

 

It's official! The name of the campaign is Kennesaw Step Up, K.S.U for short! This will be the logo for the campaign, any and all critiques are welcome, as this is a tentative design. New additions to the marketing side of things include a twitter account @KennesawStepUp and a Facebook page…so go follow us and like our page for updates! 

The campaign motto:

"I pledge to take the stairs instead of the elevator. I will save energy and better my health. One step at a time!"

I am working on contacting several student organizations on campus to see if they would be willing to "adopt-a-level" of the parking deck to paint. My artist friend, Jess May, is helping come up with the actual design. Within the week I hope to work up a proposal to submit in order to obtain permission to paint the stairs! Things are coming along and it's such a great feeling to see my idea come to life! 

Keep on climbing on! 

 

"It's A Revolution I Suppose"

 I'm not the first one to think of painting the stairs. Not even the first at KSU. This picture was recently taken in the Central Parking deck stairwell. I wonder what the local KSU graffiti artist meant by this…why did he choose to paint it on the parking deck stairs? What is the significance behind "LOVE"? Surely this wasn't intended to provoke change in stair usage…but what was it intended to provoke? 

Its troublesome when adults ignore or put aside students' opinions and voices. I came across this problem when trying to contact the important people necessary to get my project going.  But no worries! With the help of my KSU 1121 professor, my project idea is now out there and being considered by multiple people and departments associated with KSU. My next "steps" are to write a clear cut plan describing timelines, design and materials needed to initiate the project. Conveniently, one of my dad's patients works for Lanier Parking company, the company that manages the KSU parking decks. She passed on the name of the area manager who specifically works with the Central Deck. Hopefully once I get things going, he will be of help in assisting me further with my project. Having connections rocks!

Because of communication failures, I am going to have to abandon the "Take the Stairs Campaign" and start my very own campaign, unique to KSU. Potential names for the campaign include: Kennesaw Step Up, Climb to The Top, or Stairway to Better Health! I am open to name suggestions (PLEASE!). In the mean time, I will be brainstorming and making decisions on what needs to happen, to make it happen! 

Goals for this week:

-Figure out exactly what I need to do for this project

-Write a project proposal 

-Send proposal to whom it concerns

Climb on everyone! 

Stepping Stones

Over the summer, my cousin Kelly, who attends grad school at Boston University, told me about an awesome campaign called "Take the Stairs".  The Boston Public Health Commission initiated this campaign to motivate people to choose the stairs over the elevator. As a part of the campaign, they painted murals on the stairwell walls to enhance its appearance and attract people to the stairs. I thought this idea was ingenious!

My senior research project was based off of this same principal. I investigated how positive and negative images influenced food choice decision making. There was a positive correlation between healthy food choices and positive images . This concept of manipulating environments to create a change is often used.  In

[caption id="attachment_111" align="alignleft" width="300"] Piano Staircase found in Odenplan, Stockholm.[/caption]

Odenplan, Stockholm a team of industrial designers transformed a bus station stair case into an interactive piano staircase (click to watch the Piano Staircase video!). As a result, 66% of people chose the stairs over the elevator. Why? Because it was FUN!

This is my goal. I want to make taking the stairs a fun thing to do! The KSU Central Parking Deck is the second largest parking deck in the state of Georgia, besides the parking deck at Hartsfield  Jackson International Airport.

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignright" width="270"] Kennesaw State University Central Parking Deck.
6,362 parking spaces.[/caption]

For my KSU 1121: Be the Change class, I would like to make it my project to bring the Take the Stairs campaign to campus. My vision is to get the KSU Art majors to volunteer to paint murals on the stairwell walls. I think that Kennesaw State University is a great place to start a wellness campaign. This is a fun way to get students moving and in the process, solve the many maintenance issues the elevators incur!

So far  I have contacted the people necessary to help me get this going. Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any responses. As soon as I do, though, I will be well on my way--(or not, but I don't want any negative vibes!) As you can probably tell, I'm very passionate about this project and I want to keep you guys up to date on my progress, live time!

Climb on!