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Commitment To Community: Exterior Painting Workshop At The University Heights CoLab

Valu Home Center ball caps and buckets of white KILZ paint

On Saturday, June 4th we proudly collaborated with the University Heights Community Laboratory (also known as the “CoLab”) and hosted an Exterior Painting Basics workshop!

One of our expert Training Program instructors, John Andrijczuk, taught members of the University Heights community proper techniques to paint the outside surfaces of their home, from preparation to admiration.

John is an Area Coordinator, and has been a member of the Valu Home Centers Team since 2006. He has been a teacher in our Training Program for over 5 years. He specializes in painting and electrical, and has trained many Associates in those areas of the store and beyond. We are thrilled to have him, and could not be more proud that he takes his skills and talents out into the communities we serve.

John Andrijczuk teaching on proper techniques to paint outside surfaces of their home

John Andrijczuk demonstrating how to paint exterior surfaces

After a short lecture and Q&A session, John and all of the workshop participants went outside and put their skills to work by painting one of the exterior CoLab walls.

What better way to commit a new skill to memory than by getting right out and doing it? This wall, pictured above full of graffiti, is going to be home to a new mural later this summer. Our group of painters cleaned, prepared, and primed over the existing mess to get this slate clean and ready to be a canvas for Bailey Fights Blight.

Check out how, together, we beautified this community space:

Participants scrubbing graffitied brick wall with wire brushes

Participants using paint rollers and brushes to put paint on the brick wall outside of CoLab

Participants filling in paint between the bricks

Be on the lookout for more community workshops in the future!

The University Heights CoLab hosts regular workshops, and you can check out the next topic on their events calendar. There are so many opportunities to learn and enhance your DIY skill set, so be sure to visit this wonderful asset in the University Heights neighborhood. Stay tuned for more community events from Valu Crew!