2 art students design, build symbol for international camp
BY KEITH EDWARDS | AUGUSTA A rather unlikely symbol of peace—a gate—has been designed and built by two University of Maine at Augusta art students for the entrance of the “Seeds of Peace International Camp.”
In July, 175 youths between the ages of 13 and 15 from the Middle East nations of Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Qatar will arrive at the camp in Otisfield for a four-week session. They will engage in activities geared toward conflict resolution in an effort to promote a lasting peace in the Middle East.
The gate, constructed at UMA by art students Val Porter and Dennis Alexander, consists of the Seeds of Peace lettering and logo—steel cutouts of the silhouettes of children, anchored by two red oak beams.
The landscape around the gate, also designed by Porter and Alexander, will consist of 22 flag poles with boulders in between each pole. The Seeds of Peace logo will be etched in the rocks by Hallowell businessman Tony Masciardi, and a Lewiston landscaping business has agreed to supply the materials for the landscaping.
“I think this epitomizes the UMA community, people come here to have a second chance, and the camp also represents that,” said Porter, a 38-year-old West Gardiner resident.
The two artists committed their time to the project without expecting anything in return.
“We’ve been working for about six weeks, full-on, nonstop, from 9 in the morning till 9 at night,” said Alexander, a 38-year-old Jefferson resident. “It’s a chance to help out the camp; it’s for a good cause. The gate is intended for security aspects, as well as aesthetics.”
The gate is expected to be installed at the camp today.
The UMA students were chosen for the project by one of their professors, Bob Katz, who has served as “artist in residence” for the camp and was approached by Seeds of Peace Founder John Wallach.
“Dennis and Val seemed to be very dedicated people who embraced the ideals we are trying to put forth,” Wallach said in a press release. “It will be very exciting when the work on the project is completed.”
The camp, previously known as Camp Powhatan, is currently being renovated to accommodate the 175 youths who will come to Seeds of Peace this summer. The last two years, the camp has been hosted by Camp Androscoggin in Wayne.
Both Alexander and Porter came to UMA after years spent in other trades, skills they both used in this art project.
“Dennis has got more experience in steel and metal work, I’ve done some construction work, and there has to be a love of art,” Porter said. “I’m just really happy to be here at UMA and have this opportunity.”