Coordinator Spotlight: Carey Connor

Original Works has been partnering with schools nationwide since 1989, helping them create and run successful, art-based fundraising programs! With our high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and attention to detail, we support dedicated art teachers and fundraising coordinators—like Carey Connor—in reaching their school fundraising goals.

We’re excited to introduce you to Carey Connor in this Meet the Fundraising Coordinator feature! Here are a few fun facts about her:

I have been fundraising since I began teaching 13 years ago, and it has become a natural extension of my work as an art educator. Over the years, I’ve written 26 DonorsChoose grants, several district and PTA grants, and I’ve been partnering with Original Works for the past several years here at Highland Park Elementary. Each fundraiser is an opportunity not only to secure resources but also to expand what’s possible for our students and community.

What drew me to fundraising was twofold: it’s both my natural inclination and deeply personal. I still cherish the tiny canvases and trivets made from my own son’s childhood artwork through Original Works. These pieces serve as daily reminders of how art preserves memory, and they inspire me to ensure that every student has the same chance to create artifacts their families can hold onto for years to come. At Highland Park, art instructors have been working with Original Works for decades, and it feels both meaningful and joyful to continue that legacy.

My favorite part of organizing fundraisers is imagining the reveal—the moment families open their packets and pull out artwork that reflects their child’s unique style and voice. A crayon line on paper may feel small, but when it is transferred onto a blanket, mug, or keychain, it becomes an artifact of culture and memory. I love that Original Works allows us to preserve not just images, but the story of young artists discovering who they are. For me, it’s a privilege to spend each day helping learners create the artifacts of their lives.

Experience with Original Works

I first heard about Original Works as a new teacher and participated in two fundraisers while working at a Title I school. Those early experiences gave me perspective, but today I’m much more intentional about which images we reproduce. I choose projects with compositions that will carry meaning long after a student has left my art room, ensuring their memory of learning remains alive through the artwork itself.

When I was hired at Highland Park, continuing the partnership with Original Works was already an expectation—and one I was happy to embrace. By that time, I had written over 21 grants and already knew the value of OW. What keeps me returning each year is the customer service. In a time when authentic, personal customer service feels rare, it’s refreshing to call and hear a familiar voice on the other end—“Hi Ruby, how’s it going?” That kind of relationship makes challenges feel manageable, instructions clear, and deadlines achievable. Everything is structured in a way that sets coordinators up for success, and if adjustments are ever needed, the team at Original Works is ready to collaborate.

The fundraising process itself has been both profitable and joyful. Parents appreciate the ease of online ordering, and the company’s flexibility has made the experience seamless. Even when items have been misplaced or lost, Original Works has responded with generosity and speed—resolving issues and sending replacements so that families never feel left out.

Fundraiser Success & Impact

Funds raised through Original Works have allowed us to bring art enrichment experiences directly to our school community. For example, we funded a school-wide workshop with illustrator Steve Harpster, created programs that celebrated teachers, and are working toward sending our art team to the National Art Education Association conference in Chicago this year. Each of these opportunities strengthens both our professional growth and the creative opportunities we can offer our learners.

Feedback from parents and teachers is consistently positive—they love the convenience of online purchasing and the clear communication. Personally, I’ve used my “Five-Minute Tuesday” blog to create buzz around the program, giving families a peek into our art room so they are excited to find and submit the Original Works order forms when they arrive. It’s become a rhythm that celebrates both the process of making art and the joy of seeing it honored through the fundraiser.

To other schools considering an art-based fundraiser, my advice is simple: call Kelly Gallo. The support you’ll receive, along with the chance to amplify your students’ creativity, makes the process absolutely worthwhile.

One of my favorite recurring projects for Original Works has been our students’ interpretations of Hokusai’s, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The historical and cultural study behind this iconic image gives depth to the project, and each student’s version carries their personal touch. I often think about how, someday, these young people will be the artists whose works future generations might unearth as cultural artifacts. It’s exciting to prepare them not just to make art, but to think deeply about how art lives in history.

If I could design my own fundraising product, it would be a night light. I once gave my sister one featuring my own artwork, and it has become a cherished family artifact. Each time it’s plugged in, it creates a small personal “museum moment.” I love the idea of families having that same quiet, glowing reminder of their child’s art.

As for a tip for other fundraising coordinators: read everything Original Works sends you, talk to someone when you have questions, and think carefully about the lesson plan before you start. Pay attention to details like borders, placement of signatures, and material choices. It’s not about perfection—it’s about setting students up for success so their work shines in the best possible way.