Bancroft’s mural continues to grow thanks to Perkins Center for the Arts and TD Bank Charitable Foundation
The mural at Bancroft’s Jacob Schaefer Center (JSC) in Cherry Hill continues to evolve. With the installation of its third phase, another section has been added to the colorful outdoor artwork that has been taking shape over the past several years.
Generously supported by the TD Bank Charitable Foundation and designed by Ali. M. Williams, a renowned Philadelphia-based artist, the mural is the capstone of the Arts in Healing program for adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) at Bancroft, a successful partnership with the Perkins Center for the Arts, a fellow nonprofit rooted in the South Jersey community.
Linda Miller, Bancroft’s Therapeutic Activities Coordinator, helped bring the design to life, leading the installation from concept to completion.
“From concept to installation, a mural of this size took several years,” Linda says. “The goal was to have something lasting to look at and to beautify the day program garden space through all the seasons.
Bancroft owns the building so we were able to use this large space to decorate and inspire the individuals who come here for day programs. ”
Additional elements of the artwork were created by the individuals in our day programs, who brought the mural to life with their own drawings and painting skills.
“When we did the concept, we asked our individuals what kind of things they’d like to see. We had them draw and paint shapes for this portion of the mural, and hopefully will want to be a part of the final stage of this four-part project.” Linda explains.
Today, together with the surrounding gardens, the mural has helped create a vibrant outdoor space that brings color, creativity, and joy to the individuals who spend time there each day.
Through enriching experiences like our Arts in Healing program, Bancroft celebrates each person’s unique talents, and empowers individuals to shine, find inspiration, and pursue their fullest potential. More than a mural, this project has been a journey of creativity, collaboration, and shared experiences that will continue to brighten the Jacob Schaefer Center for years to come.
This project was made possible through the collaboration of many talented staff, artists, and community partners. Special thanks to:
The Staff at Bancroft’s Adult Day programs, Linda Miller, Jeanne Bozicek, Robert Brode, Mariah Wilson, Trish Black, Beth Krause, Sue McQuillan, Lisa Fiordimondo, Mathew Feldberg, Tom Sanford, Michelle VanBoreumm, John Kenneth Faupel and many others.
