Thousands of local students will collaborate with the professional artist to create one-of-a-kind murals centered around the themes of inclusion, diversity and equity
NEW YORK, N.Y. – PaintCare, a national nonprofit organization created by paint companies that makes it easy for households and businesses to recycle leftover paint, has partnered with GreenSheen and renowned muralist Kyle Holbrook, to supply free paint for a series of murals across three New York City school campuses. The mural artwork will center on themes of inclusion and community, with thousands of students participating in their creation to foster a stronger sense of connection and acceptance within the city’s schools. As part of the collaboration, PaintCare and GreenSheen have supplied the artist with nearly 100 gallons of reuse paint, unused, leftover paint collected through PaintCare’s statewide paint recovery program and put back to use for this new purpose.
“These murals bring people together who live in the same neighborhoods, and attend the same schools, but may have never connected. Art creates that connection instantly,” said Holbrook. “Every brushstroke represents reuse, responsibility and the idea that what we already have, can be used to create something beautiful. With PaintCare’s support, we are transforming recycled materials into something truly meaningful. These murals show how sustainability and community can come together in a powerful way.”
More than 5,000 local students will be invited to participate in the completion of these three campus murals located at Queens Innovation Center, P.S. Q255 and John Jay College. Working alongside school faculty, Holbrook will collaborate closely with local students including engaging art classes from NYC District 75 which provides highly specialized instructional support for students with significant challenges. The project will provide hands-on opportunities for creative expression.
The first mural kicked off on April 25 at the Queens Innovation Center, with murals for P.S. Q255 and John Jay College following in quick succession. A live, collaborative mural will be unveiled today at John Jay College of Criminal Justice as part of the NYC Inclusion Summit.
This latest mural series builds on Kyle Holbrook’s recent global tour, where he created murals focused on peace across 12 countries. PaintCare has previously supported his work, including coordinating the donation of recycled-content paint for a New York City school mural project in 2024.
“PaintCare is proud to once again support Kyle and the students creating these incredible murals,” said Andrew Radin, PaintCare’s New York State Program Manager. “Reusing leftover paint is central to our mission, and this project is a powerful example of that work in action at the community level. We appreciate GreenSheen’s collaboration on getting the paint ready and we’re excited to see how the artist, the schools and students incorporate the values of both sustainability and inclusion through this series.”
Kevin Callahan, Founder and CEO of GreenSheen Paint added, “We’re proud to partner with PaintCare on this mural effort. Through PaintCare’s statewide collection program, we’re able to take leftover paint and give it a second life. Projects like this show exactly how that can make a real impact and we can’t wait to see the final artwork.”
Following New York’s passage of a stewardship law in 2019, PaintCare has created over 390 recycling drop-off sites across New York State—including nearly 70 within New York City. More than 95% of New York residents now live within 15 miles of a designated drop-off site, making it incredibly convenient for anyone to aid sustainability efforts by recycling their unwanted paint.
“Our network of local drop-off sites plays a critical role in collecting and managing leftover paint across the state,” said Michael Rieser, NYC PaintCare Program Coordinator. “Seeing that product reused in a hands-on project like this highlights the value of the program. I’m excited to collaborate with Kyle as this project takes shape and can’t wait to see the final vision come to life with the help local students.”
Additionally, throughout the year, PaintCare hosts community-wide paint recycling drop-off events, teaming up with local partners like Fordham University and Farmingdale State College to offer households and businesses a convenient opportunity to drop off leftover paint. This June, PaintCare will be in Queens Village hosting a drop-off event at Alley Pond Park.
Some of these events feature PaintShare™ giveaways, where PaintCare provides free leftover paint in good condition to attendees. Color options and volumes are not guaranteed, and paint is given away on a “first come, first served” basis. Learn more on www.paintcare.org/events.
In total, PaintCare has managed more than 85 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish across 12 states and the District of Columbia. PaintCare has launched successful programs across the country following passage of similar laws in California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
For more information on the PaintCare program in New York State, year-round PaintCare drop-off sites, or how to become a drop off site, please visit www.paintcare.org/NY.
###
About PaintCare
PaintCare is committed to making it easy and convenient for households, businesses, and institutions to recycle postconsumer (leftover) paint in states with paint stewardship laws. A nonprofit organization created by paint companies, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. Approximately 85 million gallons of paint, stain, and varnish have been managed by PaintCare in 12 states and the District of Columbia.