CREATORS INSIGHTS

Happy 4th of July week! While everyone's planning barbecues and fireworks, please remember all those who gave their lives to help continue, as president George Washington called the new government as "the last great experiment". The experiment is certainly a work in progress and it's up to us to be a part of it's success.

Celebrating Our Art Show Champions First things first – let's give a huge congratulations to our recent art show winners over the past few months. It's no surprise they all have one thing in common.. studying under genius Mike Malzone! (Did I actually write that???) See winning pics below. So here goes... Adult Cara Bufiano ran the table at the recent St. Francis art show winning; 1st place in oils, St. Francis Festival of the Arts Judges choice, St. Francis Festival of the Arts Honorable mention, St. Francis Festival of the Arts. Lee Calderio Lewis, a perennial winner won 3rd place in oils, St. Francis Festival of the Arts Caroline Waterman Hon. mention, St. Francis Festival of the Arts Nathalie Hidalgo Hon. mention, St. Francis Festival of the Arts

Young Artists Genivieve Schmidt Judges choice, St. Francis Festival of the Arts Emma Nelson 3rd place Peace Island Institute Art Exhibit Vincent - 1st place 2025 Species on the edge art contest

These artists didn't just win plaques, ribbons, and certain winners, cash and prizes! They reminded us that one of the real perks of being an artist is to show others around us how they see the world, and it's a better world because of them. Thank you for being great!

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Why Red, White, and Blue?

Flag expert Mike Buss suggests that red, white, and blue were likely borrowed from Britain's Union Jack. Since the Founding Fathers had lived under British rule, these familiar colors naturally influenced their design. I imagine the Brits already were already steamed that we broke up with them, why not steal their colors too!

Every Fourth of July, Americans proudly display the flag, but do we know the real story behind those famous stars and stripes? As an artist, of course I had to go there! And of course with the help of my good friend Google!

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress officially adopted the American flag, declaring it should have "thirteen stripes, alternate red and white" with "thirteen stars, white against a blue field." This resolution said nothing about colors. The colors had no official meaning when the flag was first created.

The true significance of red, white, and blue actually comes from America's Great Seal, created a year before the flag. When the Continental Congress commissioned the seal in 1776, they wanted it to reflect the new nation's values and beliefs. Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, later explained the colors represents white for "purity and innocence," red stands for "hardiness and valor," and blue signifies "vigilance, perseverance, and justice." These meanings were then applied to the flag's colors.

While the colors have meaning, the flag's design is more straightforward. The 50 stars represent America's 50 states, and the 13 stripes honor the original 13 colonies. Which lead me to thinking, "What if we annex Canada and Greenland? Do we have to change every U.S. flag everywhere to 52 stars?" :)

Despite these various interpretations, flag expert Buss believes the colors matter less than the flag's ability to inspire patriotism and pride. For veterans like him, the flag represents the freedoms they fought to protect—freedom of speech, press, and religion.

Whether you see the red, white, and blue as symbols of valor and justice or simply as colors connecting us, the American flag continues to unite citizens under shared ideals of freedom and democracy.