WUSA9 News recently featured Forest Hills of DC (FHDC), the longest standing senior living community in Washington, D.C. FHDC is an inclusive and not-for-profit provider of assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
This year, FHDC was awarded an AARP Community Challenge grant to support a temporary public art initiative in partnership with Art Against Ageism, an organization that creates artistic endeavors that tackle ageism. McKnight’s Long-Term Care News highlighted the partnership and project last month in this article.
The grant program helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. In 2024, AARP received 3,300+ applications, awarded just 343 grants and FHDC was one of just 3 organizations selected in DC.
Earlier this week, WUSA9 News featured the initiative as part of their, The Heart of It segment. They spent time talking to Vicky Parker, FHDC director of marketing and admissions and Annie Abbott, an assisted living resident, about the project. Both Vicky and Annie have their portraits featured in the art exhibit.
Titled “See Me, Hear Me: The Art of Living,” the public art exhibit showcases portraits of Forest Hills residents and staff captured by well-known DC photographer, Marvin Bowser.
The portraits were turned into biodegradable prints that were wheat-pasted to the outside of the FHDC building to create a large-scale mural. The mural was illuminated, in partnership with Tenleytown Main Street, during DC Art All Night, a city-wide art festival on September 27 and 28.
The companion digital exhibit includes stories for each resident and staff portrait which were collected throughout this summer and can be found here.