PPG Completes Makeover at Primary School in Novo Mesto, Slovenia

PPG has completed a colorful and transformative makeover at the Šmihel Primary School in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, through its New Paint for a New Start initiative, which is part of the company’s COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program. The project was carried out in partnership with building materials store Topdom.


The project brought together more than 50 PPG, Topdom and community volunteers along with professional painters to beautify 18 classrooms, hallways and outdoor items. PPG donated more than $59,000 (€58,000) to support the project, including 396 gallons (1,500 liters) of SIGMA COATINGS™ and GORI™ paints by PPG to create a colorful and beautiful space for students and educators. PPG also supplied the school with funding for sports equipment, including volleyball nets, table tennis tables and basketball hoops.

Through New Paint for a New Start, PPG employees around the world are volunteering their time throughout the month of July to transform more than 25 schools and serve local students. Using PPG paint products and color expertise, each project aims to create engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.

Most of the worldwide transformation projects use a single global color palette that PPG color experts specifically selected to elevate physical classroom environments. The palette includes Olive Sprig, which is the 2022 PPG Color of the Year, or regional colors inspired by it.

“Our school was founded in 1864 and opens its doors to around 400 students ages 5 to 15 every year,” said Romana Šarec Rojc, principal, Šmihel Primary School. “The colors selected for our school will help energize and stimulate those enthusiastic young learners who are faced with new educational and social challenges every day. Thanks to this color transformation, I can’t wait for the new school year to start. We are thankful to PPG for beautifying our school.”

“We know that paint can truly make a difference in the classroom,” said Dejan Stepanovski, PPG Optima Solutions site manager, Automotive OEM Coatings. “A recent study funded by PPG showed that the new paint colors made students happier and helped them learn, and teachers noticed that students were calmer, more focused and more engaged. That’s why we reached out to the Šmihel Primary School along with our partner Topdom.”

“As one of the leading dealers in the field of roofing, building materials, facade systems and insulation materials on Slovenian market with Sigma Coatings and Gori paints in our portfolio, we are glad that we could support PPG with this meaningful project and even hands-on help as volunteers,” said Valerija Kuhar, marketing manager, Topdom.