Student art featured on new EV at YSJ
Saint John Airport is using student artwork to promote environmental sustainability with a new electric vehicle wrapped in drawings from Loch Lomond Elementary.
The wrap features eight designs created through a school contest that asked children to show what protecting the environment means to them.
Lori Carle, the airport’s manager of community engagement, said the idea started when staff were deciding how to brand the plain white EV.
“The head of security had the light‑bulb idea and said maybe we could do something with the elementary school,” Carle said.
“And then it hit me — we need to do an art contest.”
Carle explained the airport, and the school invited children to submit drawings focused on environmental themes.
“The kids were really excited to participate,” she said.
All eight designs selected for the wrap came from the same classroom, which Carle said was an unexpected coincidence.
The airport also held a draw for all participants, offering a gift certificate to an art supply store to support their creativity.
Carle said the children’s reaction to the wrapped vehicle was memorable.
“They were pointing at the car, running around it, and just the concept that their art is going to be mobile and seen by a variety of people made them excited,” she said.
Loch Lomond Elementary is part of the airport’s PALS partnership, which connects local businesses with nearby schools.
Carle said the relationship includes career days, heritage fairs, planting marigolds in the spring and helping with fundraisers.
She said the EV project has encouraged the airport to think differently about how it works with the school.
“It’s made us think outside the box on how we can work together,” Carle said.
“We’re starting to look for other ideas now that might be a little different.”
Carle said the electric vehicle also supports the airport’s sustainability goals.
As a federally regulated, not‑for‑profit airport, YSJ must work toward national environmental targets.
“Every year we’re trying to move the needle on things we can do that reduce our carbon footprint,” she said.
She said the EV is a practical fit for the security team and aligns with the airport’s long‑term environmental commitments.
“An electric vehicle makes so much sense for that role,” Carle said.
Carle added that the school’s principal shared that the children were excited to take part.
She said the artwork was completed in November, the wrap was installed in December, and the airport launched the vehicle this month.
The wrapped EV is now in regular use on airport grounds and will also be seen in the community when staff travel for errands.
