Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Art & Art History Ali Hval engaged the Burlington community to activate a prominent downtown alleyway with public art. 

Artist and faculty member Ali Hval created a vibrant and colorful public art installation for an alleyway in downtown Burlington, inviting the community to participate in the process.  Along with the IISC, the project brought together many organizations including the Greater Burlington Partnership, Downtown Partners, Art Center of Burlington, the City of Burlington, and the Iowa Arts Council.  During the time of the project, Ali also had a fellowship with the Iowa Arts Council.

The installation includes a mural on one wall and painted buoys (reflecting the area's connection to the Mississippi River) strung across the alleyway. Ali's design invites people to explore another community cultural asset, the Capital Theatre and Night Cap Listening Lounge which have entrances in the alley.  Members of the community were invited to help paint the mural and the buoys, creating a unique and memorable community building experience.  

The public art project served as an exciting culmination of IISC's year-long partnership with West Burlington and Burlington.  IISC celebrated the partnership with a final event on May 8th in coordination with the Iowa Arts Council on two statewide initiatives- the final meeting of the Creative Places Accelerator Program and the 2025 Creative Places Exchange, held on May 8th and 9th. During these events, participants viewed the public art and heard from Ali during a panel discussion about the project and her artistic process.