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City of Perth Amboy (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
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.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Malvern, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: The community of Malvern is an art hub for the region, but several spaces in the town were underutilized and aesthetically unappealing for residents and visitors. Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development improved two public corridors, allowing people to gather there. The Wabash Trace Corridor now boasts upcycled metal art panels. Additionally, artists and volunteers transformed an underutilized alley on the east side of Main Street into Malvern's Art Alley. The Art Alley -- which connects Malvern's downtown -- features murals on fences, garage doors and the backs of buildings. An interactive map includes a QR code, which links to a website showing the locations of each piece of public art.
Souris, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Souris faced vacant spaces and fading identity after its school and church closed, leaving older residents without gathering places. Strengthen ND collected stories and photos from elders and installed a mural on the historic bank building, featuring the former school mascot. A seating area and planned memorabilia displays created spaces for reflection and connection. The mural sparked pride and inspired similar efforts in neighboring towns. One resident said, "This mural reminds me of what Souris used to be. It's more than just art; it's a piece of our history brought back to life."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Wilmington, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Older adults in Wilmington's District 8 faced isolation and limited access to cultural experiences after the pandemic. To address this, the museum installed six large-scale murals across the neighborhood, including two at nearby living centers, featuring Jazz Age illustrations and quotes. These vibrant works transformed building facades into accessible art spaces, encouraging residents to step outside and engage with their community. The project sparked plans for annual installations to sustain revitalization. As one councilmember said, "The Delaware Art Museum team has done it again... Wilmington has yet another nationally, if not internationally, known exhibit right here in our backyard."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Metuchen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Businesses in Metuchen's downtown struggled during pandemic-related shutdowns in 2020. To help with their recovery and resilience, the Metuchen Downtown Alliance made investments in public outdoor spaces, turning a block of New Street into a pedestrian-oriented New Streetery. After the Borough Council voted to ease zoning requirements, the Alliance converted street parking spaces into parklets. This created outdoor space for businesses -- including restaurants, shops and fitness studios -- to operate safely. To accommodate diners, the Downtown Alliance purchased over 100 tables with chairs, as well as infrared heaters and lighting. In the summer months, New Street closed to vehicle traffic on weekends, with partial street closures continuing into the winter. Project organizers say that although COVID-19 has since waned, walkability and outdoor dining remain part of Metuchen's downtown culture.
Metuchen, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A car-focused downtown left few places for pedestrians to rest or connect. The alliance transformed a corner near the local adult center into a conversational landscape with benches, a custom mosaic table and refreshed planters. A ribbon cutting drew nearby residents who praised the new seating and art. The space now encourages conversation and walkability. One resident said she was "thrilled" to finally have a place to sit during her daily walks, and the art element has sparked community engagement and future programming.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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