
Beautification Program
The Office of Central Services is responsible for managing a program intended to beautify, revitalize, and recognize local neighborhoods, personalities, or events.
The Office of Central Services is responsible for managing a program intended to beautify, revitalize, and recognize local neighborhoods, personalities, or events.
Artists: Future History Now and the Stanton Community Center
Location: Whitmore Garage, between Washington and Calvert streets
Future History Now partnered with the Stanton Community Center to honor singer and actress Pearl Bailey, known to frequent Annapolis stages in the historically black Fourth Ward. The Pearl Bailey mural, a monochromatic painting in purples, black and white, features the icon mid-song with her hands spread wide.
Artists: Matt Klos and students from Anne Arundel Community College
Location: Anne Arundel Community College at the corner of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard and Ritchie Highway.
The Community College partnered with Anne Arundel County Government and was supported financially by the Anne Arundel County Arts Council. The balloons painted by students feature the annual carnival that has been in existence since the 1900's, a historic smelting furnace, the much adored and family friendly ice rink plus other images reflective of the community.
Through this mural, we pay respect to the St. Anne's Cemetery with a nod to the vanitas genre of painting, celebrating both the beauty and impermanence of life, and to the old Star Theater, which once occupied this very location from 1926 until 1965. The project grew from a vanitas-inspired concept rendering by local artist and FHN co-founder, Julia Gibb, which includes depictions of native species. The design evolved to include some history of the Star Theater, the only African-American movie theater in Anne Arundel County during its time; pays tribute to Levin's Store, which was located on the next block, along with a portrait of store owner Joseph “Jake” Levin; and a 1920’s era map of this Annapolis location.
Future History Now is a 501(C)(3) organization who collaborates with youth from under-resourced communities in the creation of public art projects that encourage pride of place and gives a voice to those who struggle to be heard.
Interested landscape firms are encouraged to apply to adopt a County-owned median or roundabout and express your creativity. Program participants will help improve the aesthetic appearance of Anne Arundel County through the installation of enhanced landscapes or public art in traffic structures.