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City of Beaver Dam (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
As downtown revitalization advanced, residents wanted a way to honor local history. The city launched "Doors to Our Past," turning old doors into canvases for historical artwork. Fifteen doors depicting landmarks and traditions were created through collaboration between residents of all ages. The installation now forms a permanent art trail and has inspired plans for annual additions. One door featuring Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus sparked heartfelt memories of decades spent delighting children during the holidays.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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See More Projects Like This One
Perth Amboy, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Perth Amboy sought to create a welcoming space that reflects its cultural heritage and fosters intergenerational connections. The "Eternal Bonds: Stories of Love and Legacy" mural project installed three custom-designed murals in the Housing Authority's community room, with older adults shaping the design through a paint-and-sip event. The unveiling celebration drew more than 100 attendees, including local artists and residents. The murals transformed the room into a cultural hub for ongoing events, strengthened social ties and promoted local artists. Diverse involvement ensured the artwork reflects shared values, and the project is expected to boost community pride and engagement for years to come.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Farmington, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Downtown Farmington's alleys lacked safe inviting spaces for cultural engagement, limiting walkability and social connection. The council converted an alley into a pocket park with walking pavers and murals, including a Navajo Code Talker portrait and cultural symbols. Older adults volunteered as guides and storytellers during art walks, sharing local history. The space now hosts jazz nights, art classes and receptions, creating a lasting venue for connection.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Pikeville, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: In a rural community with high poverty and an aging population, cultural isolation limited opportunities for engagement. To address this, Pikeville created an Indigenous History mural depicting the Trail of Tears, supported by a skilled artist and QR-coded videos for deeper learning. The unveiling event brought residents together for a guided tour, sparking dialogue about heritage and resilience. Now a permanent feature downtown, the mural serves as an educational tool and catalyst for similar projects, offering older adults a meaningful way to connect with history and foster unity.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Morgantown, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The project will add raised garden beds, seating and a community mural next to the Butler County Senior Center. This space will support light activity, relaxation and social time while providing fresh produce in a welcoming outdoor setting.
Bowling Green, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Low-income residents needed clear, practical steps to prepare for tornadoes, floods and fires. Many lacked a plan, supplies and a single place to keep them. Community Action delivered two trainings for AmeriCorps Senior volunteers using SBP guidance. Participants received a Disaster Resilience Toolkit plus a fire blanket, first aid kit and a three-day survival backpack. The sessions walked through what to do before, during and after an event. Early outcomes show volunteers organizing go-kits at home, with follow-up planned to check progress.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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