The Art of Being Hopeful

Artist Charlie 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 dozens of different sites, both public and private, including an appearance at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.

Map of the northeastern United States with each state colored differently. Maine in green with Bangor and Lewiston labeled, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut in gray, New York in blue, New Jersey in red, Pennsylvania in yellow with Philadelphia and Lancaster labeled, Maryland, Delaware, and parts of New England are also visible.

COURTESY / CPort Credit Union

Charlie has been featured in:


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If you are interested in sharing The Hopeful Project in your community, publicly or privately, please reach out to the studio for more information.

Sign with the words "Hopeful"

“Hopeful is not a passive word – it’s a challenge and a responsibility. It’s a silent prayer, it’s a leap of faith you take that it’s going to be better. To be hopeful requires action, it requires commitment, it requires opening your eyes, it requires being part of something. It requires being passionately in love with your country, passionately in love with your family, and passionately in love with everyone in your community. That passion and that love I want back. I want a resurgence  in my soul for that kind of life.”

— Charlie Hewitt