Local Students Celebrate Their Hometowns Through Art with Opportunity for National Recognition

More than 80 young artists spent last week celebrating the communities they call home as part of Camp LBW, creating original posters that showcase what makes their hometowns special.

The project is part of the Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project, a nationwide initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors commemorating America's 250th anniversary. Students are designing posters that capture the history, culture, landmarks, traditions, and community spirit of their hometowns while imagining the future of the places they love.

Children representing Andalusia, Opp, Red Level, Dozier, Gantt, and Fort Deposit are participating in the project. Through their drawing, students are expressing their own unique perspectives on what makes small-town America a meaningful place to live.

The following student entries will be submitted to the National Endowment for the Arts for consideration in the Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project exhibition during the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., in January 2027. If selected, their artwork will be displayed alongside entries from communities across the United States.

Andalusia - Adelyn Byrd

Opp - Reaghan Nicholson


Gantt - Isabel Reaves

Red Level - Turner Stacks


Dozier - Carter Hammett


Fort Deposit - Anslee Thrower


"The Freedom 250 project reminds us that every community has a story worth telling," said Kristy White, English/Speech instructor at LBW. "These students are seeing their hometowns through the eyes of artists and discovering that their own experiences and communities are an important part of America's story."

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented campers,” said Anthony Sanders, Art instructor at LBW. “The LBW Art Program values the imagination and technical skill demonstrated by these young artists. Moreover, the theme of the Freedom 250 Poster Competition allowed us to reflect on civic identity and pride. This was particularly fitting because LBW is our community’s college, and the Art Department wants to be involved and get others involved through the visual arts. The artwork created by these campers and proudly exhibited in the LBW Art Gallery is an exciting way to open a new year of art shows.”

Community members will have two opportunities to view the students' artwork locally. The completed posters will be exhibited next week in the Lower Alabama Arts Coalition Gallery, located in the McWhorter Learning Resources Center on the campus of LBW Community College, July 24-August 7, 2026, during regular business hours. The posters will also be on display during the Kiwanis Covington County Fair in October.

The exhibition offers families and community members a chance to experience the creativity and civic pride of local youth while celebrating the unique character of Alabama's small towns.
The Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project encourages artists of all ages to reflect on their communities as the nation continues to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. National organizers have emphasized themes including local identity, civic pride, community resilience, history, and hope for the future.

LBW is proud to provide local students with the opportunity to participate in a project that connects their hometown stories to a nationwide celebration of American communities.