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VI Council on the Arts (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public art installations
└ Public art installations
The Virgin Islands Council on the Arts commissioned local artists -- all of whom were older adults -- to create four murals at a local recreational complex. Intended to extend the Yacht Haven Public Arts Initiative into more neighborhoods, the new murals focus on Virgin Islanders' heritage and history. Subject matter includes an ocean vista with sail boats, a scene from everyday Island life and an homage to local athletes. Project organizers say they hope the new public art instills a sense of neighborhood identity and adds color to walls that would otherwise go unnoticed.
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Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Organizers with the North Houston Management District noticed many of Houston's murals found in the city's more affluent neighborhoods. To bring quality public art to the Aldine neighborhood and draw visitors to the local library, the District painted an augmented reality mural. The artwork depicts the word knowledge on a colorful backdrop. Passersby can use a smartphone app to scan the mural, allowing them to experience additional multimedia content. The mural is the first augmented reality project of its kind in Houston. Project organizers say the creative placemaking effort is meant to build neighborhood pride and a positive local identity to lower-income, predominantly Black and Latino North Houston.
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.
Lakewood, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: To make a popular pathway more visually appealing, volunteers painted pavement murals along the corridor from Eaton Senior Communities to the Belmar downtown district. To make high-traffic pedestrian trail more welcoming people of all ages and abilities, volunteers also installed an ADA-compliant benches at several locations, including near a low-income apartment complex.This gives people traveling the pathway a place to rest.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
St. John, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Description: This project will upgrade the St. Ursula's Mission kitchen, which was damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, to support St. John Meals on Wheels and aid disaster recovery. Improvements will ensure ongoing service for older adults and other residents.
Christiansted, VI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will develop plans for an accessible green space at Sunday Market Square. This project aims to foster resilience, food security, and healthy aging by creating a welcoming environment for older adults and families.
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Christensted (St. Croix), VI 00820
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