MEADVILLE, Pa. – May 31, 2005 – Allegheny College's Arts and Environment Initiative was recognized as an outstanding program at the second annual Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards (WPEA) banquet held on May 26, 2005 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The WPEA program honors outstanding achievements of organizations, companies and individuals representing a wide range of environmental initiatives. The awards recognize those who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence, leadership and accomplishment in their fields. Winning programs receive $1,000 to donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

Co-sponsors Dominion Energy and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council awarded top honors to five organizations out of a pool of 16 finalists. Allegheny's program won in the higher education category.

“I am thrilled that the Arts and Environment Initiative has been recognized in this venue,” says Amara Geffen, who directs the initiative and is a professor of art at Allegheny College. “The initiative is not only a great experience for the students who participate, but it also fosters partnerships that have a positive impact on the whole community.”

The college's Arts and Environment Initiative uses art to promote regional revitalization and beautification, working with local community partners to identify environmental problems and implement solutions. Project goals include using art to generate awareness of environmental problems, teaching environmental sustainability, changing how people think about and react to the environment around them and supporting and extending coursework in the college’s Art and the Environment minor.

Some of the recent projects undertaken by the Arts and Environment Initiative include two public art installations along Route 322, “Read Between the Signs” and “Signs & Flowers,” a sculptural-relief fence and an abstract flower garden assembled from recycled road signs; and a project to beautify Market Alley to attract urban pedestrian traffic into downtown Meadville. According to Geffen, installation of Phase IV for “Read Between the Signs” will begin at the end of July. Money received from WPEA will go into supporting the project.

The Arts and Environment Initiative is part of the Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED), which seeks to engage Allegheny College students and faculty and the community in creating innovative approaches to environmental stewardship, environmental education and regional revitalization.