The Glimmer Trail
Helping visitors notice small moments that bring hope, calm, and connection
Along the trail, visitors would encounter engaging signs featuring community-generated artwork, and thoughtful prompts that encourage curiosity, gratitude, kindness, and connection. Rather than simply viewing public art, visitors become active participants in an experience designed to leave them feeling a little more hopeful, a little more present, and a little more connected than when they arrived.
At this early stage, I hope to explore what the Town of Cary envisions for a project like this, and then develop a more concrete proposal which aligns with your goals, timeline, and available resources.
CONTACT: Anne Kubitsky, info(at)annekubitsky.com
Activate Your Strength, LLC, PO Box 225, Apex, NC 27502
What's A Glimmer?
A glimmer is a small moment that helps us feel hopeful.
The term glimmer was introduced by trauma therapist Deb Dana. Glimmers are small moments that remind our nervous system that we are safe enough to relax and connect. A glimmer might be the warmth of the sun, a child's laughter, birds singing overhead, an unexpected act of kindness, or a beautiful reflection on the water. Even though these moments are small, when we learn to notice them and appreciate them, they can have a surprisingly powerful effect on how we experience ourselves, one another, and the places we visit.
My Concept in Broad Strokes
PHASE ONE
The Glimmer Trail
Launch a pilot installation around your pond or the botanic garden featuring approximately 10–12 outdoor signs showcasing community-generated artwork, or simple prompts that introduce the glimmer concept and encourage visitors to notice glimmers throughout the park.
Glimmer prompts could include the five senses: Glimmers that feel good, smell good, taste good, sound good, and are pleasing to your eyes.
Click on the video below to see an example of a community-generated walkway I developed at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut, which serves a little over 2 million people per summer season.
Previous Feedback
One of my favorite parts of this type of installation is watching complete strangers stop, smile, and begin talking with one another. This short video captures a few of those moments and offers a glimpse into how a simple public art experience can spark meaningful conversations and strengthen community connection. The photograph below shows an earlier summer installation at Hammonasset Beach State Park.
More Community Art
PHASE TWO
Invite Visitors to Share Their Own Glimmers
Transform the trail into a collaborative community art project by inviting visitors, residents, local artists, schools, and families to contribute their own glimmers to the trail. This could be accomplished through email blasts, social media invitations, free Glimmer Art-Making workshops, invitations through business sponsors, or the news. This video offers an example of my 2013 invitation shared within a school community.
A Look for the Good® Tent
On select weekends throughout the installation, we could engage the community with a Look for the Good® Tent where visitors are invited to participate. Families, children, and other park visitors could stop by to share a glimmer, create a keepsake, and contribute to a growing collection of community-generated art.
Activities could include:
- Writing or illustrating a glimmer to display or take home
- Receiving a "Glimmer of Strength" card to encourage themselves or give to someone else
- Meeting the artist and learning about the project
As the creator of the Glimmer Trail, I would be delighted to personally staff the tent. The tent also provides opportunities for local businesses and community organizations to sponsor engagement days, helping the installation grow while demonstrating their commitment to community well-being and connection.
Why Me?
For the past fifteen years, I've created participatory public art experiences that invite people to slow down, notice the good, and connect with one another. Through Look for the Good Project, for example, I've helped 375,000+ kids generate three million of messages of gratitude to uplift their school communities. This Glimmer Trail brings that same participatory approach to your park, helping visitors notice the good — and then become a part of it.
My Story
About Me
- Founder & CEO of Look for the Good Project, a nonprofit which has reached over 700,000 children in 40 states through its school-wide Gratitude Campaign and Wiggle Warrior® books
- Creator & Owner of Activate Your Strength, LLC
- Author & Illustrator of 30 books, many of which have been donated to Look for the Good Project
- Recognized in 2015 as a Point of Light by President George H.W. Bush
- Recently featured in the film Friends & Neighbors
- Presented with a "Look for the Good Day" proclamation from the city of Hartford (2015)
- Partnered on projects with Varsity Brands, Philosophy Cosmetics, Marriott Vacation Club, Kinzoo, W by Worth Clothing Line & The CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, among other groups, and also with individuals like four-time Olympian Chaunté Lowe
