Peace poles showcase youth artwork, inspiring messages in Freeport's Hope Garden

Colorful mosaics and inspirational messages adorn a trio of decorative peace poles which will be dedicated in Freeport’s Hope Garden during a Celebrating Creativity Gala next week.

The peace poles bear messages such as “be kind,” “have hope” and “inspire the world.”

Jennifer Covey, a Freeport native who owns JLC Studios in Freeport, painted the poles and adorned the largest of them with mosaics created by young participants in a summer workshop she hosted last year. The multicolor mosaics — crafted with outdoor cement, like that used for stepping stones — showcase the creativity of about 30 local children and teenagers, from first through tenth grade.

“They knew they were creating something for the community to enjoy, and they were so excited to be a part of it,” Covey said.

Covey collaborated with the Freeport Renaissance Association, a community organization dedicated to promoting and beautifying Freeport, to create the peace poles and host the upcoming galas.

The peace poles have been a work in progress for about a year, Covey said. Last summer, Covey’s workshop students were creating art from their homes because of the pandemic. She recorded videos for them and sent them supplies, but working individually made it harder to put together collaborative artwork. That’s when she decided to have each student create a small mosaic that could be put together on a larger peace pole.

“I love them because they always have messages,” Covey said of peace poles. “So much of my art includes words because I feel it speaks a little more to my intentions.”

The peace poles are wooden and covered in painted vinyl. They’re weather-resistant and should last years, Covey said.

Two of the poles — which Covey painted herself — are about four inches wide and roughly eight feet tall. The largest pole, measuring about five inches wide and eight feet tall, displays the mosaics.

Covey said she hopes they will convey messages of love and hope to the community, especially after a year when many felt isolated during the pandemic.

“I want people to feel happy. I want them to feel loved. I want them to know we did this for the people in the community because we care,” Covey said. “It’s kind of like our way of hugging the community.”

The poles are the latest addition to the Hope Garden, which is owned and maintained by the Freeport Renaissance Association. The garden also features benches, flowers and a pergola previously created as part of a local student’s Girl Scout project.

“The garden provides another community space for people to sit,” renaissance association President Mary Bowlin said. “When I’m downtown, I’ll see people sitting down there or taking pictures with the flowers.”

Bowlin commended the work local youth put into creating the peace poles, which, she said, are “fairly detailed.”

“We often complain about youth, so when youngsters engage and do something creative and exciting, we need to celebrate that,” she said.

Bowlin will be at a brief ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday to dedicate the garden’s newest feature. Following the ceremony, Covey will host the Celebrating Creativity Gala, which features an art show, vendors and live music.

A second Celebrating Creativity Gala is slated for Saturday, July 24.

June’s event will feature six singers from Freeport Area High School, along with more than 25 young artists whose work will be displayed in an art show at JLC Studios. The sidewalks will be lined with vendors — all local kids or teens — who will be selling homemade cupcakes, lemonade, jewelry, candles and paintings.

“It’s important for youth to feel they have a community foundation, a home, a safe place — especially with creativity,” Covey said. “It’s very important to celebrate our artistic young people and to encourage them to find their happiness and feel good about themselves.”