Students from Meadowview Middle School got a firsthand look at how art and industry intersect during a recent visit to Colortech as part of the long-running Art in Industry Program.

The program, organized through HC*EXCELL and now more than a decade old, brings student artists into the manufacturing world while also giving them a chance to showcase their creativity. This year, Meadowview art students arrived at the plant carrying colorful pieces inspired by the style of artist Frank Shelly.

Before stepping onto the production floor, students received a brief safety lesson and were fitted with safety goggles and ear plugs.

After photos and presenting their art pieces, the group toured the facility, visited the Innovation Center, and watched the extrusion process in action while learning how products are made and distributed to manufacturers across the country.

Executive Director Tish Jones said the program is designed to expose students to careers and workplaces they may not otherwise experience while also encouraging creativity.

Only 15 student pieces are selected each year for the special tour and presentation. The artwork remains part of a growing tradition inside the Colortech facility, where hallways are lined with submissions from previous years.

Meadowview art teacher Kerry Stacy accompanied the students and said the opportunity allows students to see how artistic thinking connects with real-world production and design.

During the tour, students learned that many of the colors people recognize every day begin at Colortech. The company produces color concentrates and additives used in products supplied to major manufacturers and retailers, including the recognizable colors associated with Mayfield milk jugs, trash bags, and the orange-and-white branding tied to The Home Depot. Students also received goodie bags before leaving the facility.

Company representatives shared that Colortech plans to open a new facility sometime during the fourth quarter as the company also prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

For many of the students, the day offered more than just a plant tour. It was a chance to see their artwork hanging inside a working industry environment and to realize creativity has a place far beyond the classroom walls.