Niles student’s art chosen for credit union window advertisement
Published 9:58 am Thursday, March 6, 2014
Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT
The artwork of Taylor Martinez, middle, was chosen to be used in a window advertisement by Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union. Also pictured are Robin Hadrick, Niles High principal, left, and Lisetta Zahm, art teacher.
If you happen to see Taylor Martinez around town, chances are she will have a sketchbook close by.
The Niles High School sophomore, who recently moved to the community from Arizona, said she has loved drawing since she was a little girl.
“It’s a great way for me to be creative,” she said. “Art has always been a part of my life. Wherever I go I am pretty much drawing. You can ask my friends — that’s how they describe me.”
Martinez’s natural artistic talent paid off this week as her window display design won a contest sponsored by the Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union.
The winning design.
The credit union presented Martinez with a $50 VISA gift card Wednesday at the high school. Martinez will paint the design on the front window of the credit union branch as early as next week.
“I tried to make it the best I could. I liked where I added cash to the background,” Martinez said.
Niles art teacher Lisetta Zahm said the contest was a good way for students to get a taste of the real world.
“This made it valid for the students — it’s like they were getting paid to do a job,” Zahm said.
The credit union offered the class a contest for a design to promote one of its new products which is the rewards checking account which offers 3 percent APY.
Several entered, but Martinez’s work took the prize.
“Art is an important part of our culture and we wanted to provide an incentive contest for local art students. We chose to work with the Niles High School to set up this real world application for the winning student,” said Joan Keeler, branch manager for GRCFCU. “Taylor’s submission was selected because of the large size graphics conveying the 3 percent APY theme of our new product in a very simple but effective manner. Taylor gets to use her artistic talent for this business opportunity and we are excited to see her final product in our window.”
Martinez said she hopes this experience will help open new doors for her as an artist. She plans to minor in art, while pursuing a career in law enforcement, after high school.
“Hopefully this will help get my name out there and it will definitely look good on a college application,” she said.
More of Martinez’s artwork can be viewed at the art show at the Niles District Library beginning next week.
