On Thursday, December 16th 2021, Heart of Maine United Way gifted HOPEFUL to the city of Bangor.
The mission of Heart of Maine United Way (HoMEUW) is to improve the lives of people in Eastern Maine by mobilizing the caring power of people and communities. HoMEUW aims to make sure that every person in Eastern Maine has the food, shelter and resources they need not only to survive, but thrive in our community.
HoMEUW is there to help folks when they need us most, but right now in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, as folks continue to struggle it is our feeling that EVERYONE in the community needs a little extra hope to remind us that there are better days to come. HoMEUW was fortunate to commission this art with the support of Bangor Savings Bank, Cross Insurance, the City of Bangor Commission on Cultural Development, and two anonymous donors. HoMEUW has gifted Hopeful sign to the City of Bangor to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors for many years to come.
The Bangor Hopeful sign can be seen at 152 Main Street (McGuire Building).
About Charlie Hewitt
Charlie Hewitt is known for his energetic abstract paintings, woodcuts, and sculptures that are informed by the millworker community he experienced growing up in the Lewiston–Auburn and Brunswick areas of Maine. In works that feature irregular geometric shapes and a bold, contrasting color palette, Hewitt reflects the culture’s dynamism and core values.
His works are part of the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, New York Public Library, and Library of Congress, among others. He has also been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions.
Hewitt began The Hopeful Project, 2019-present, with a single lighted aluminum sculpture commissioned by Speedwell Projects for the roof of their headquarters in Portland, Maine. “Maine is a dark place in the winter,” Hewitt said, “and I felt compelled to illuminate that corner of our world with a message of hope.”
To date, the Hopeful message has spread with installations across seven states at over a dozen different sites, both public and private, including an appearance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
