-Submitted photo
USG hosted a booth at a recent Buster's Bash event in downtown Fort Dodge, where kids could paint a wide variety of plaster molds made from USG materials.

Area children got to work with some authentic products of the local gypsum industry during a recent downtown event, courtesy of USG.

USG had a booth featuring a hands-on activity in which kids painted a wide variety of plaster molds made from authentic USG materials. The booth was part of the June 12 Buster’s Bash hosted by Spin Markket.

Sallie Galliard, the USG Fort Dodge quarry manager, said the mold designs and individual paint kits allowed children to get artistic while learning about construction materials in a fun, approachable way.

The building materials that USG makes are used in hospitals, office buildings, airports, university housing, residential homes and more, in Iowa and across the country. In fact, wallboard was invented by a USG employee and first produced at the Fort Dodge plant in 1916.

“We had a great turnout at our booth,” said Elias Rocha, a USG representative. “The kids loved the painting activity, and it gave us a meaningful way to connect with local families.”