Public art has always been a powerful way to tell community stories - but what if those stories could move, speak, and interact with visitors?

At the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library, a traditional mural was transformed into a living, interactive experience using augmented reality. With ARLOOPA, visitors don’t just look at the mural - they engage with it.

The Project: Honoring a Local Legacy Through Innovation

The mural was created to honor Rudy Gelnett, a beloved local figure known for his passion for music and community involvement.

Installed at the Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, the large-scale mural captures his spirit—but the real magic happens through AR.

👉 Visitors can scan the mural using the ARLOOPA app and instantly unlock a digital experience layered on top of the artwork.

The Challenge: Making Cultural Heritage Engaging for Modern Audiences

Libraries and public institutions face a common challenge:

• Static installations often fail to fully engage younger audiences
• Stories behind artworks are not always easily accessible
• Limited interactivity reduces visitor engagement

The goal of this project was to:

• Preserve and celebrate Rudy Gelnett’s legacy
• Create a memorable, interactive visitor experience
• Use technology to make storytelling more accessible and engaging

The Solution: Augmented Reality Powered by ARLOOPA

Using ARLOOPA, the mural was enhanced with digital content that appears when scanned.

Key Features of the Experience:

Animated Performance
Visitors see Rudy Gelnett come to life, playing the piano directly from the mural.

Simple Activation
A QR code or image scan triggers the AR experience instantly through a smartphone.

Interactive Storytelling
After the animation, users can explore:

• A slideshow about his life
• Videos celebrating his legacy
• Additional interactive content about his impact

How It Works: From Mural to Digital Experience

The process behind the experience is simple but powerful:

1. Physical mural creation - A large-scale artwork honoring Rudy Gelnett
2. AR integration - The mural becomes a trigger for digital content
3. Content development - Animation, videos, and storytelling elements are created
4. User interaction - Visitors scan the mural using ARLOOPA
5. Immersive experience - The story unfolds in real-time

This transforms a passive viewing experience into an interactive journey.

The Experience: A Living Tribute

Instead of reading about Rudy Gelnett, visitors can now:

• Watch him play piano in AR
• Discover his story in a visual and emotional way
• Engage with content at their own pace

This creates a deeper connection between:

• The community
• The space (library)
• The story being told

Results: Stronger Engagement Through AR

The AR mural delivers measurable value:

Increased Visitor Engagement

People spend more time interacting with the mural compared to traditional displays.

Educational Value

The experience makes learning about local history more engaging and accessible.

Emotional Connection

Seeing Rudy Gelnett “come to life” creates a memorable and meaningful experience.

Community Impact

The project strengthens local identity by blending heritage with innovation.

Why ARLOOPA Works for Public Spaces

This case highlights how ARLOOPA enables:

• Easy integration of AR into murals and public art
• Scalable storytelling for libraries, museums, and cities
• Accessible experiences via smartphones (no special hardware required)
• A new way to preserve and present cultural heritage

By combining art, technology, and community, ARLOOPA helps transform everyday spaces into living experiences.

As augmented reality continues to evolve, projects like this show how even the most traditional environments - like libraries - can become interactive, immersive, and unforgettable.