Staying Power: UNCG Initiative for Public Art and Aging
Staying Power, launched in 2023, creates interactive public sculptures in Greensboro and the Triad to promote movement and improve quality of life for older adults.
Project Development
This initiative builds on the innovative concept introduced by Creative Aging Network-NC, whose vision for an interactive sculpture garden encourages balance, flexibility, and strength throughout the aging process.
Public Art
Since 2023, UNCG has developed an interdisciplinary arts-based research program at the intersection of public art and aging with our community partners. In 2024–25, Sculpture 1 and 2 students partnered with the Creative Aging Network of North Carolina, CAN-NC. for a proof-of-concept public art project. In fall, they met with faculty and industry professionals to explore art and aging, then presented maquettes for interactive sculptures on the CAN-NC campus. An external jury reviewed proposals and offered feedback. In spring, Sculpture 2 students fabricated The Circle of Life, designed by senior Ashley Jones, which was installed in summer 2025 with community support.
Separately, students also created temporary environmental works throughout the CAN-NC grounds, outdoor classroom, and nature art trail using natural materials like clay, walnut ink, vines, and wood—many of which are still evolving onsite. In 2025-2026, UNCG Art and Interior Architecture Students continued to produce site-activated murals, environmental art, and wayfinding signage on CAN-NC’s campus.
Research
This applied research project creates large-scale public artworks across the NC Triad while analyzing how well these sculptures meet our goals. Our work focuses on three areas:
- Disrupting Ageism: How does education on aging and environmental gerontology influence the experience of artists/designers/students producing targeted work for sculpture parks? How do embodied art experiences (sculpture and installation art) impact the quality of life of older adults and how can students produce work with these goals in mind?
- Arts-based Research: What formal and conceptual public art strategies best engage older and intergenerational audiences? Through literature reviews and interviews, we’ll analyze how U.S. sculpture parks address aging in programming, commissioning, social prescription, and accessibility.
- Activating Movement: From a kinesiology perspective, how can sculptures encourage movement in older adults? What strategies from physical therapy, low-impact exercise, or senior fitness parks can inform public sculpture design?
Partners and Existing Support
Community partners include the Creative Aging Network of North Carolina, Pennybyrn Retirement Community, and the City of Greensboro.
Current Faculty involved in the project advisory committee include:
- Kasia Ozga (PI, School of Art),
- Elise Eifert (Gerontology)
- Derek Toomes (Interior Architecture)
- Louisa Raisbeck (Kinesiology)
- Sudha Shreeniwas (Human Development and Family Studies)
Previous contributors include Pat Wasserbauer (School of Art, Professor Emeritus) as well as 3 URCA undergraduate and graduate student researchers (2024-2025). Ali Hibbard (Kinesiology) is our current grad student researcher on the project.
We have previously received funding from the CVPA (6 community engagement grants), URSCO (Community-based URSCO grant), and Community-Engaged Pathways and Partnerships (P2) program from ICEE and external funding from the Triad Retirement Living Association.
