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Downtown PKB Inc. (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
Downtown PKP wanted to build on its efforts to bring public art to Parkersburg. Over the years, the nonprofit created selfie stations and displayed welcome banners in the central business district. This project added a 40-foot mural. Downtown PKB held community listening sessions, where they asked residents what they love most about their town, as well as about their hopes for the future. Using the responses, a team of artists developed a design depicting a collage of smiling faces, local landmarks and butterflies. During four public paint parties, 300 volunteers worked to install the mural on the side of the Parkersburg Art Center. Project organizers say the collaborative effort culminated in public art that beautified Parkersburg's downtown.
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See More Projects Like This One
Granby, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Granby hosted the RKY MTN WALLS street art festival, Grand County's first ever mural festival. Over seven days, Denver-based artists created eight massive murals on Main Street, which celebrate the area's diversity and culture. The festival also featured cornhole competitions, face painting and opportunities to create art on canvasses provided by event organizers. Following the festival, residents formed a public art committee to continue promoting community art.
Reno, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: A Reno neighborhood plagued by aging sidewalks and poor walkability needed a way to restore pride and connection. The project led six design workshops and volunteer days to prepare walls for three large murals co-created by residents and local artists. These vibrant installations transformed neglected spaces into community landmarks, strengthened social ties and spotlighted safety issues like missing sidewalks and crosswalks. The effort is expected to inspire future art projects and advocacy for street improvements, creating a more inviting and connected environment for older adults and neighbors alike.
Anchorage, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Fish Creek Trail is a winding, multi-use path connecting schools, parks and a recreation center in Spenard, one of Anchorage's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods. NeighborWorks engaged six local artists, storytellers and graphic designers to create interpretive panels, which they installed along the trail for residents to view as they walk, ride or roll along. The panels display paintings, watercolors and digital designs, which illustrate participants' personal experiences, family tales, memories of using the trail and a traditional Dena'ina story. Project organizers hope the artwork will generate renewed community pride and celebration.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Amesville, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Since Amesville earned its designation as a Bee City USA, the village has worked to sustain pollinators. To provide pollinating birds and insects with a habitat rich in native plants and free from insecticides, the Village created a pollinator garden. The effort activated an underused meadow in Gifford Park. Volunteers used a natural herbicide to clear out unwanted grass, then spread compost and seeded the half-acre site with wildflowers. They also constructed birdboxes and installed seating and signage. Since completing the project, the Village has hosted mini-festivals onsite, which feature walking tours of the garden.
Athens, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: This project will feature walk audits in six communities and on two paths and one trail. Community forums will celebrate completion and evaluate results, which will be shared with government officials.
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