GALLERY – More than 100 local youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson participated in a unique public art initiative connected to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration

On Jun. 19th, more than 100 local youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson participated in a unique public art initiative connected to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration. As part of the nationally recognized Portraits of Hope project, students had the opportunity to create artwork that will become that will potentially become part of a flotilla of painted pieces on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool (dependent on status of present damage) in Washington, D.C. The nationwide effort is engaging approximately 20,000 children across all 50 states in a large scale civic and public art experience. The event, held at the Boys & Girls Club on West Capitol Street, gave Jackson youth a chance to contribute to a historic national project while expressing their creativity through art. The completed installation will serve as a visual celebration of America’s 250th year and showcase artwork created by children from communities across the country. (Advocate Photos: Joshua Martin)