Designing a Journey Through Time: Our Work for West Elmwood’s 55th Anniversary

For West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation’s 55th anniversary celebration, Mirage Design had the honor of creating an immersive historic walk-through that served as the visual centerpiece of the event. This project allowed us to transform more than five decades of community impact into a large-scale, narrative-driven experience — one that invited guests to explore the organization’s history step by step.

Turning 55 Years of History Into a Visual Story

The installation featured six two-sided banners, each measuring 8 feet by 10 feet. We organized West Elmwood’s 55-year history into decades, creating a chronological path that highlighted the organization’s evolution — from its early formation to its role today as a community anchor within Providence.

Curating the Past — Visually and Verbally

To build the narrative, we reviewed hundreds of archival materials — photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, and more. From this extensive collection, we selected the pieces that best represented meaningful moments, milestones, and stories.

In addition to designing the banners, Mirage Design also crafted the written content. We developed clear, engaging text to accompany the archival imagery, ensuring that each banner communicated both the historical context and the emotional resonance behind the selected materials. The combination of visuals and narrative text allowed each decade to stand on its own while still contributing to a larger, cohesive story.

We paired these written and visual elements with West Elmwood’s brand colors, fonts, and patterns to create a unified design that felt both archival and contemporary.

Collaboration in Production

To bring the final designs to life at scale, ARC Document Solutions expertly fabricated the six double-sided banners. Their production work ensured that every detail — from color accuracy to material quality — supported the immersive experience we envisioned.

An Experience That Connected Past and Future

The walk-through was designed to evoke the feeling of traveling through time, guiding attendees from one decade to the next before arriving at the celebration of West Elmwood’s present-day achievements and its vision for the future. The installation became more than a display; it served as a narrative bridge between the organization’s origins and its continued impact on Providence’s neighborhoods.

Honoring the Past, Designing for the Future

Projects like this remind us why we love what we do. They allow us to blend storytelling, history, and design into experiences that help organizations celebrate their legacy in meaningful, memorable ways. We’re grateful to have contributed to West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation’s milestone anniversary and to have collaborated with ARC Document Solutions to bring the vision to life.

If you’re looking to create a unique, immersive visual experience for your next event or milestone, we’d love to help you bring it to life.