Just days before super-storm Sandy devastated the borough, the staff and students at Staten Island’s P.S. 21 celebrated the opening of a freshly revamped library and art room. The spaces were treated to a makeover by the legendary designer Todd Oldham, who worked in partnership with Target to execute his joyous vision. Photo: Courtesy of Target
Oldham is the man behind Target’s Kid Made Modern arts-and-crafts line, and on opening day, the art room was stocked with its products, which the children were welcome to take home. The houndstooth wall is Maharam tweed over homasote. Photo: Courtesy of Target
The library and art room have a special place in Oldham’s heart: “They helped me survive school when I was a kid, because I skipped most of my classes to hang out in them,” he says. Photo: Courtesy of Target
The project kicked off with a library upgrade, backed by the Heart of America Foundation and Target as part of the 2012 Target School Library Makeover program. The houndstooth carpet is from Oldham’s Durkin collection. Photo: Courtesy of Target
This is what the library looked like before Oldham replaced the sad colors and generic school furnishings with cheerful décor. Photo: Courtesy of Target
Oldham, Target executives, and New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott mingle with the kids during the opening ceremonies. As well as a makeover, the library got a technology upgrade (complete with iPads) and 2,000 new books. Students were also given food and books to take home to their families. We need people like Oldham and Target to make noise in our schools everywhere! Photo: Courtesy of Tony Longoria
