Blue Archer Launches Site for SLAP, Pittsburgh-based Pre-college Architecture Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 17, 2009 -- PITTSBURGH – September 17, 2009 – Blue Archer, a web design and development company located in Shadyside, recently launched a pro bono website for the Sustainable Landscape and Architecture Program (SLAP). Directed by Professor S.K. Woodall, formerly of Carnegie Mellon University, SLAP won a 2004 Imagining America Award for providing pre-college students with the opportunity to learn firsthand from community leaders and university faculty about architecture, creative inquiry, sustainability, and design.

“When I started the program in 1994 at Carnegie Mellon, few people were talking about sustainability,” said Professor Woodall. “With the help of parents, professionals, high school staff, and CMU faculty, including former associate head of the School of Architecture Bruce Lindsey, now the dean of the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design at Washington University in St. Louis, we’ve helped almost 1,000 students think at an early age about the ways in which their own talents can help foster green design, creativity, and sustainability.”

The classes, comprised of local students ranging from eighth to twelfth grade, average a 6:1 artist to child ratio and are open free of charge to any student. “Many schools are losing funding for the arts and in some cases kids are just losing interest,” said Professor Woodall. “Urban kids in particular aren’t aware of architecture design and sustainability and the opportunities it offers on both the individual and community level. This program seeks to change that.”

The website will feature photos of student projects, volunteer opportunities with partner organizations, information about scholarships and funding, and chances to offer in-kind support. The SLAP website can be viewed at www.slappgh.org.

“Kids are increasingly online, so that’s where we need to be,” said Professor Woodall. “With Blue Archer’s help, this website will introduce people to the project and hopefully help it grow to new regions in the future.”

For more information about Blue Archer and the services it provides, visit www.bluearcher.com.

####

About Blue Archer

Founded in 1999, Blue Archer is Pittsburgh’s Leader in Web Design and Marketing and provides a host of services and solutions to clients from numerous sectors. For additional media inquiries, please contact:

Jennifer Brant, Marketing Manager
jbrant@bluearcher.com
412-353-0646