Posted: 4/11/2008
Art College Helps Ballston Common Mall Go Eco-Chic
April 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2008
Contact:
Selina Tolentino
(703) 243-6346
SelinaTolentino@forestcity.net
Lisa Schwan
(216) 373-8428
lschwan@liggett.com
Shelly Ford
(703) 247- 6864
shford@aii.edu
Art College Helps Ballston Common Mall Go Eco-Chic
The Art Institute of Washington celebrates Earth Day along with shoppers on April 19
Arlington, VA – In celebration of Earth Day, students and faculty from The Art Institute of Washington located in Rosslyn are creating a sculpture of two cherry blossom trees, composed entirely of water bottles and other recyclable materials. The sculpture will be unveiled on Saturday, April 19, at Ballston Common Mall. Shoppers at Ballston Common Mall should prepare for a makeover on Saturday, April 19 – an eco-makeover that is. To celebrate Earth Day, mall-goers will be treated to green entertainment, options and education at every turn, all aimed to provide easy-to-take steps to protect the environment.
Here’s how the Celebration unfolds:
• The first 700 guests to bring 10 plastic water bottles or yogurt cups for recycling will receive a stylish, black, fold-up, reusable canvas tote bag that says, “I am Eco Chic.”
• Shoppers will enjoy “Recyclable Cherry Blossoms”, a work of art created by students and faculty at The Art Institute of Washington from 836 recycled plastic water bottles. The piece will be unveiled in the Food Court on April 19. It represents two cherry blossom trees and will remain at the center for a month. The sculpture will be composed entirely of water bottles and other recyclable materials. Project Coordinator Eric Butters, who is Assistant Department Chair of The Art Institute’s Art Foundations Department, stated “As a team, we loved the idea of we could use everyday recyclable materials such as water bottles and pipes and transform them into a very organic and natural form that is aesthetically pleasing .” Upon conclusion, the display will be recycled by the Mall’s waste hauling companies, Olympic Compactors and Potomac Disposal Services.
• The first 200 guests who “Pledge to Make the Switch” from regular incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) will receive a free CFL bulb.
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• Shoppers can participate in various educational programs and learn about eco-friendly services offered at the center.
• Environmental groups and local organizations will offer tips in their fields at their green booths.
• Ballston Common Mall will donate five percent of gift card sales for the day to The Sierra Club.
“The Eco-Chic celebration is a fun and educational way to celebrate Earth Day and our planet,” said Selina Tolentino, director of marketing, Ballston Common Mall. “Preserving our planet for future generations is everyone’s job. This is our effort to keep the focus on how each of us can help,” she added.
Ballston Common Mall is one of 15 centers nationwide owned by Forest City to celebrate Eco-Chic on April 19 in the same way.
For more information about Ballston Common Mall and its Eco-Chic program, visit ballston-common.com.
Forest City Commercial Development is a unit of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. a $10 billion NYSE-listed national real estate company. The Company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate and land throughout the United States.
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