by thesavageway | Mar 25, 2015 | clean graffiti
#thesavageway won an art grant sponsored by Project Art Aid’s Queen City Soup. The grant is to execute positive Clean Graffiti messages/art around high-risk Charlotte neighborhoods. Upon winning, #thesavageway partnered with Project LIFT & West Charlotte High School to make a larger, more direct community impact. As this project unfolds, #thesavageway will be documenting their experience working with the students.
Time for another Clean Graffiti Art Grant Progress Update! On March 24, 2015, we returned to the West Charlotte High School campus for the final presentations of the students’ Clean Graffiti design ideas. Since this Clean Graffiti project was incorporated into the curriculum, the two groups had to give us a formal presentation (public speaking, power point and all) to explain their idea.
West Charlotte High School IB Art Students with #thesavageway.
Once again we brought along videographer Jacob Teer but this time we also had Eric Halili of Rebrand Media join us for additional footage and interviews.
The crew! Left to right: Jacob Teer, Eric Halili, Paula Bartlett, Torrie Savage. #thesavageway
Group 1:
First up was the group that called themselves “The Brainy Bunch.” Team members Sinclair, Lobna, T’maizjah, Valery and Caleb presented their idea to “Choose Your Own Path.” The idea stemmed from the notion that determining who you are in life should be your decision and that you shouldn’t have to follow down someone else’s path. They talked about the right brain/left brain dichotomy and how it’s okay to be different. They design was both whimsical/creative and yet structured. The group member were great presenters, very professional and well spoken. They even thought through incorporating social media into the design and how that exposure would help inspire students beyond the school.
Group 1 presents their Clean Graffiti idea for #thesavageway at West Charlotte High School.
Group 2:
Then we had the pleasure of watching Group 2. While they didn’t have a creative name for their group like Group 1, it was clear in their intentions. Team members included Ketsana, Mathis, Amani, Miya and Makayla. Their idea was “We Rise By Lifting Others” and the design showcased powerful animals (an elephant, rhinoceros, lion and an eagle) all leaning on each other for support. The team boasted, “We can get to better places as a community by working together. It’s okay to ask for help!” They thought about how their message would impact not only West Charlotte High School but the Charlotte community as well!
Clean Graffiti idea for #thesavageway project from West Charlotte High School IB Art Students in Group 2.
Judging Criteria:
After the presentations, we had the difficult job of selecting a winner. When judging, we took into consideration the following:
- Overall concept
- Creativity
- Scalability to all 9 Project LIFT Schools
- “Stencilablity” of design
Winner:
While both teams did a wonderful job, we had to select a winner. And the winner is…. Drumroll…. Group 2!
Winning team members pose with Paula & Torrie of #thesavageway.
We are beyond grateful that all the students were open to this project and really took the idea to heart. We heard more positive feedback from the students than we could have ever imagined. The fact that they had the opportunity to put their stamp on this project and truly make it something that their fellow students and community members could be inspired by was everything to us!
Next Steps:
We will be transforming the students’ design into stencils and getting them cut. In the meantime, we will be finalizing the exact locations for each Project LIFT School and in about a month, we will return to West Charlotte High School to put down the completed project with the IB art students!
Stay tuned!!!
by thesavageway | Mar 19, 2015 | clean graffiti
Clean Graffiti is an innovative tool that has the potential to capture an audience’s attention and spark a conversation. Here, at #thesavageway, we see incredible potential to use it for citywide messaging. Needless-to-say, we jumped at the chance to be involved with Mecklenburg County. Clean Graffiti was recently incorporated into the Mecklenburg County tobacco-free initiative in parks.
Clean Graffiti initiative for Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg. #thesavageway
Smoke-Free Parks
As of March 18, 2015, Mecklenburg County owned parks, greenways and park property are now tobacco-free. The tobacco-free designation includes e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah pipes etc. as well as cigarettes. (There are a few exceptions, see website for full details).
Tobacco-Free initiative in Mecklenburg County Parks. #thesavageway
The Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg launch kicked-off at an event held at Marshall Park (800 E. Third Street) on Wednesday morning. Several City officials and County Commissioners were in attendance to celebrate this wellness initiative.
Kick-Off Event at Marshall Park for the Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg initiative. #thesavageway
Torrie & Paula of #thesavageway showcasing Clean Graffiti for the Mecklenburg County tobacco-free initiative!
DC Lucchesi of Well-Run Media helped to coordinate this event campaign and brought Clean Graffiti to the table.
“We wanted to do something creative, lasting, clean and a bit unexpected – particularly for the parks,” said Lucchesi. “Clean Graffiti just makes sense,and it’s a non-intrusive vehicle to carry a message that’s going to have a positive impact on the health of the community!”
Seven Clean Graffiti messages were placed in Marshall Park, encouraging park-goers to, “Enjoy your tobacco-free park!” An additional eight other Mecklenburg County parks saw Clean Graffiti too – with hopes of doing many more.
DC Lucchesi (far left) of Well-Run Media showing off the Clean Graffiti in Marshall Park. #thesavageway
From left to right: Melissa Curlin from Well-Run Media, Erin Smith of the Health Department, Dr. Marcus Plescia, Health Director, Torrie Savage & Paula Bartlett of #thesavageway.
Having some Clean Graffiti fun with Jim Garges, Director of Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation (far left), Torrie Savage & Paula Bartlett (#thesavageway) and Melissa Curlin (Well0Run Media).
Here is a great flyer explaining the initiative further: TobaccoFreeParksFlyers2B
Click here for more information on Clean Graffiti and how your business can utilize this sustainable medium.
Follow the Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg journey on social media by following @TobaccoFreeMeck.
by thesavageway | Feb 23, 2015 | clean graffiti, services
We have worked with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte on two Clean Graffiti campaigns within the past 6 months. They are true supporters of sustainability when it comes to advertising.
Corporate Social Responsibility
We love when companies put their money where their mouth is and actually practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Defined as a “Corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare,” CSR is very important for companies these days.
When the YMCA chose to spend some of their marketing budget on Clean Graffiti, they in turn practiced CSR. Clean Graffiti is the process of cleaning a message onto a dirty sidewalk (it’s just water). They saw the benefits of using reverse graffiti to stand out from other outdoor advertising methods while being sustainable.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte uses Clean Graffiti for marketing campaign.
The first campaign the YMCA executed was on several of their campuses touting their “Stay & Play” initiative. The goal was to get YMCA members and passersby to realize that the YMCA offers dance, swimming, sports, tumbling and other programs beyond just a gym atmosphere. The participating campuses of the Greater Charlotte YMCA were the Johnston, Lake Norman and Stratford Richardson locations.
Social Media post from #thesavageway about YMCA of Greater Charlotte’s Clean Graffiti campaign.
Recently, another opportunity arose for the YMCA to take on sustainable advertising, the BB&T Corporate Cup 5K & Half-Marathon.
“The Corporate Cup is in its 36th year and the Race Planning Committee saw an opportunity to spice up how we communicate with something truly innovative compared to our other marketing vehicles,” said Center City Marketing Director for the YMCA, Brittany Durkin. “We saw how Clean Graffiti created a buzz between everyone (in person and online) and we wanted to try it specifically with our race.”
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Clean Graffiti for the BB&T Corporate Cup. #thesavageway
Clean Graffiti messages were placed around the race route and popular running areas to help promote the upcoming March 7 race.
#thesavageway did some Clean Graffiti for the YMCA Corporate Cup.
More images of the Clean Graffiti the #thesavageway did for the YMCA Corporate Cup.
More images of the Clean Graffiti the #thesavageway did for the YMCA Corporate Cup.
The best part of it all is that the YMCA has chosen to expand their CSR by returning to the spots and cleaning them away after the race. That’s what we call full circle, sustainable marketing!
Click here for more information on Clean Graffiti.
Click here to sign up for the BB&T Corporate Cup.
by thesavageway | Feb 3, 2015 | clean graffiti, services
Clean Graffiti is an innovative, sustainable form of messaging that is eye catching at its core. In fact, it’s just a clean message on a dirty sidewalk! However, when a client decides to be witty or clever with their message, Clean Graffiti has an even bigger impact.
Enter the NC Music Factory.
When we approached the Marketing Director (and Social Media Cowgirl herself), Corri Smith about using Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory (NCMF), she was immediately interested. It also happened to be perfect timing since they were in the midst of a big re-launch of their brand identity. Clean Graffiti became a natural (no pun intended) addition to their marketing efforts. It would become that 4th or 5th point of contact for the consumer to become familiar with the NCMF brand.
Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
Everyone knows the NCMF as a great place to catch a concert (Fillmore, Uptown Amphitheatre), however not everyone knows that you can catch a comedy show, enjoy a nice plate of sushi or even play a game of sand volleyball. With the new re-launch, the NCMF began showcasing everything that their facility offers. Running billboards, radio spots and print advertising, their city-wide campaign touted the tagline “Made Fresh Nightly.”
NC Music Factory Facebook Cover Photo for the Made Fresh Nightly Campaign.
NC Music Factory Printed Ad in the Made Fresh Nightly Campaign.
Example of the NC Music Factory Made Fresh Nightly Campaign Neon Sign.
The agency behind the “Made Fresh Nightly” campaign is Centerfold Agency. The team decided to take the creative route in using reverse graffiti and use some witty play-on-words.
Creative Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
New Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
With phrases like “Enjoy the Flavor Flav of our Burgers” and “Refreshing Ice-T Served Daily,” the NCMF is bringing attention to the fact that yes, they have concert venues, but they also have a ton of delicious restaurants (something that Charlotteans should be aware of)!
Our hats off to Centerfold and the NCMF for showing their corporate social responsibility and using Clean Graffiti to round out their marketing campaign!
by thesavageway | Dec 30, 2014 | clean graffiti
#thesavageway won an art grant sponsored by Project Art Aid’s Queen City Soup. The grant is to execute positive Clean Graffiti messages/art around high-risk Charlotte neighborhoods. Upon winning, #thesavageway partnered with Project LIFT & West Charlotte High School to make a larger, more direct community impact. As this project unfolds, #thesavageway will be documenting their experience working with the students.
On December 18, 2014 we met for round 2 with the West Charlotte High School students. Today we brought along one of our videographers, Jacob Teer, to capture our progress and record the class for a future video we are having produced.
Paula & Torrie with art teacher Mrs. Beverly Smith.
Jacob Teer – Teer Drop Photography
Since our last visit, the students have been broken into two groups and they have done some incredible research on graffiti artists and Clean Graffiti as an art form. We sat down with each group to get their feedback on the method and to answer questions. These IB art students started pulling away the layers of what Clean Graffiti could be and how they see themselves using it for our art grant. As this project is now part of their curriculum, they are required to create a portfolio piece on Clean Graffiti. Here is a small sampling of their initial research work.
Research by the students on the art form.
Next we started talking design ideas for the Clean Graffiti art grant. Every idea we heard was impactful, well thought out and meaningful to these students. We threw around the idea of pollution prevention and protecting the planet, making a statement that Black Lives Matter, and different positive thoughts in a more deconstructed form. We were blown away at how focused the students were, as well as how serious they are taking this project.
West Charlotte High School IB art class.
To sit back and listen to how this project has ignited a spark in these west Charlotte students is awe-inspiring. We always wanted Clean Graffiti to be used in a positive way, but to have first hand input on what will ACTUALLY speak to these kids is an incredible experience.
“Personally, I have taken this task seriously because we are not just creating artwork, but we are also inspiring positive actions from our peers,” stated Mathis Gales, one of the art students. His powerful words continued, “This task has been a huge blessing because this is our opportunity to give back not just to our school but our community as well. Our project has the potential to have an immense effect that will go beyond the walls of West Charlotte. . . Many people at our school don’t have someone in their life giving positive messages, and our Clean Graffiti project will provide that for them.”
Group talk about the Clean Graffiti art grant at WCHS.
Chatting with the Clean Graffiti groups at WCHS.
This project is turning into more than just a simple positive message campaign. It is challenging these students and hopefully inspiring a community. We are excited for the progress. Stay tuned for more updates in the New Year!
