Artwork > Community Mural Projects > Intergenerational/Adult Projects
Newton Community Service Center
"A Tree Grows in West Newton"
Newton Community Service Center (NCSC) is a non-profit multi-service agency that has been helping families in Newton and surrounding towns since 1907. They are committed to offering a full spectrum of services to anyone who needs them—infants, seniors, and everyone in between. Their approach is to provide a supportive environment that values ethnic, cultural, age, and socioeconomic diversity. An intergenerational mix of NCSC and Newton Community members ranging in age from 4–84 worked together for two months to create this beautiful outdoor mural depicting imagery reflecting the services offered by the center. Mural completed September 2006.
Quotes from participants:
"I gained a great deal in the way of self esteem. It was a new challenge and I believe I surpassed my fondest dreams as to what I might accomplish personally with the project. More importantly, it was what we as a group accomplished and gave to the community."—Mural participant
"How fortunate at the age of 72 to have had the opportunity to participate in such a project. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how my spirit is renewed each time I drive by the mural."—Tony Bibbo, past NCSC exec. director, mural participant
"The project became an extension of the agency, in the sense that it helped us build connections in the larger community as neighbors and others passed by and were welcomed to pick up a brush and join in."—Gail Sommer, mural participant
"It [the mural] is the 'ultimate' community building experience—I think this project did a great deal to bring people together and build spirit and pride for the organization. —Jean Devine, Director of Development, NCSC, mural participant