Creative Communities
Spotlight: The Forest City Trail Town Mural
The Forest City Trail Town Mural celebrates the borough’s identity as a fun and welcoming place for outdoor recreation. Muralist Jeff George created this striking 1,800-square-foot installation on Main Street, visible to hundreds of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers each day. It has quickly become a backdrop for community gatherings and local events.
This project was made possible through generous support from:
Honesdale National Bank, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pocono Forest & Waters Conservation Landscape, Sordoni Family Foundation, and Scranton Area Community Foundation, along with contributions from local businesses and residents including McAndrew Law, Genco Dental, and United Gilsonite Laboratories.
Bringing Art, Culture, and Recreation Together
VIM is supporting Carbondale and Forest City's Outdoor Town initiatives with murals, sculpture, artist-designed benches and bike racks, signage, and events that draw visitors from their trails to their Main Streets. The Art and the Outdoors program, supported by a four-year Creative Communities grant, builds local quality of life through art, recreation, and economic and cultural development. VIM received funding from Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 2026, VIM worked with the residents and leaders in Forest City City to select artists to design and paint nine new murals in the borough! VIM led a community process where residents identified themes and values they wanted artists to promote. The resulting set of murals helps connect residents and visitors with both Forest City's history and its aspirations for the next generation.
VIM's state Creative Communities grant requires a one-to-one match. Help our communities unlock their Creative Communities funding by donating to VIM today. Each donation is matched dollar for dollar for this program!
Transform What’s Possible in Your Community
Want to reimagine an underused space? Express your community’s values, stories, or aspirations through art? Create a destination worth visiting? VIM’s Valley Murals program can help bring your vision to life. Murals spark meaningful community conversations as well as strengthen our community and economic development.
Why Murals Matter
Public art offers benefits that reach far beyond aesthetics:
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Placemaking & Walkability: They draw people into downtowns and create spaces worth exploring.
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Community Voice: Residents help shape how their story is told through art.
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Identity & Branding: Murals express a community’s spirit and how it wants to be seen.
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Economic Impact: Art enhances business districts and attracts visitors.
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Cultural Preservation: Murals celebrate local history, people, and pride.
Work With Us
If your community is ready for a high-quality, lasting, and meaningful mural, VIM is here to help. We assist with:
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project planning
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fundraising support
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artist coordination
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property-owner agreements
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community engagement
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full project management from concept to completion
Together, we can support a thriving arts economy while promoting pride, progress, and purpose throughout the Lackawanna Valley.
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Stay connected with Valley in Motion by following us on social media! It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop on all of our upcoming projects, community events, and new opportunities to support VIM’s mission. Join our online community to see the impact being made across the Valley, get real-time updates, and discover meaningful ways you can help keep our region moving forward. Follow along and be part of the momentum!