GAHANNA, Ohio, April 29, 2015 — AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP), continues to work with artists around the state to educate customers about its Appliance Recycling Program. Kan Du Studio, an extension of Blanchard Valley Industries in Findlay, Ohio, was selected to turn a fourth, inefficient and recycled refrigerator into a work of art.
Kan Du Studio, an art studio and gallery in downtown Findlay, gives adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to express, communicate and connect with the community through the arts. Artwork is created with goods donated by local businesses and people within the community. The artwork created at Kan Du Studio is displayed and sold at art shows across the state to generate awareness about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities and compensate the artists for their talents.
Four artists and two staff members worked together to transform the inefficient refrigerator. The Kan Du mascot, Buddy, was the inspiration for this project. Artists dripped brightly colored paint down the sides of the refrigerator and created unique characters and illustrations to bring the refrigerator to life.
“Our artists are people who have hopes and dreams just like you and me. They love having people see their artwork and to know that they are capable of contributing to the community,” said Rebecca Combs, Kan Du Studio manager. “This was a fun way to think outside the box and really express their creativity. Everyone thought it was cool to paint a refrigerator!”
The transformed refrigerator will be on display at Kan Du Studio during Findlay’s Art Walk this Friday, May 1, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It will also be displayed with five other transformed refrigerators in the AEP Ohio booth at the Columbus Arts Festival June 12-14, 2015.
The AEP Ohio Appliance Recycling Program is part of the company’s initiative to help customers use less energy, decrease energy costs, conserve natural resources and protect the environment. AEP Ohio customers can earn a $50 rebate when they schedule their inefficient refrigerator or freezer to be recycled. AEP Ohio will pick up the appliance free of charge and haul it away.
Recycling an old refrigerator or freezer can save up to $150 a year in energy costs, and helps protect the environment. For additional information about AEP Ohio’s energy efficiency programs, visit AEPOhio.com.
###
AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Ohio Power Company in Ohio. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a 40,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east and north Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. News releases and other information about AEP can be found at AEP.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
FrazierHeiby
Jillian Cameron
614-702-2131
jcameron@frazierheiby.com