Green Room Project
The Growing Up Green in Kennebunkport Project
Several of our rooms were decorated by a group of 8th grade students from the Middle School of the Kennebunks. In 2005, Nonantum Resort General Manager Tina Hewett-Gordon’s daughter Kyleigh was a student in Mary McCarthy’s art class. When the class looked for a project within the community, Hewett-Gordon stepped forward and offered the class the opportunity to decorate a real hotel room. The class was given a $5,000 budget from the Nonantum Resort and the edict to use environmentally friendly techniques as much as possible.
Students have learned not only artistic and decorating techniques, but they also have learned the fine arts of compromise and working on a budget. They research color palettes, eco-designs, prices, artwork and feasibility of designs. There are field trips to Ikea and Pottery Barn where professional decorators meet with the students and talk about making their dreams rooms a reality. In addition Apple has partnered with the program and podcasts are created that are posted on the Nonantum Website as well as in that tell teens about activities in the area.
This project has laid the groundwork for a $200,000 grant The Middle School of The Kennebunks received from Aubrey’s End which built a lab filled with computers and other equipment that will help with the designing process. In addition, the school was named as an Apple Exemplary program by Apple, Inc.
At the end of each school year, The Nonantum holds a reception for students and their families. Parents and Grandparents are always amazed at the talent the young artists display. We are sure you will agree after looking around these rooms, there are lots of future designers right here in the Kennebunks! The plan is for the project to continue until all 111 guest rooms have been redecorated!
