Brownsville, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: The City of Brownsville set out to transform its 14th Street Plaza into a vibrant place for residents and visitors to the city. The City commissioned local artists to create a mural in the seven archways along one of the site's walls. To select the muralists, the City held a competition. The winning design, The Three Graces, by local artists Alexandria Canchola, Monica Lugo and Samantha Rawls, explores the relationships between sisters, cities and countries. Additionally, the City set up portable tables and seats, hung tree light fixtures, constructed a shade canopy and added new fountains to the site. They were also able to replace broken bollards, replace electrical fixtures and install bike racks and trash cans. Project organizers say the plaza was not well-maintained before and they hope upkeep will be easier now. Going forward, city officials see the park as a tool for economic development, attracting visitors to visit nearby businesses and museums.

Lihue, HI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: This project created thirteen murals around Lihue, installed six Wi-Fi hotspots at bus stops and planted native trees and garden beds along Rice Street.

Las Cruces, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: This project will help community members beautify a revitalizing downtown through a participatory paint-by-numbers mural on the wall of a nonprofit makerspace.