{"id":577865,"date":"2026-07-31T22:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/577865\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T22:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:03:14","slug":"freeport-sculptures-pay-homage-to-maines-state-flower-the-pinecone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/577865\/","title":{"rendered":"Freeport sculptures pay homage to Maine\u2019s state flower \u2014 the pinecone"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t“Pinecones with Tassel” by Patrick Plourde displayed outside Freeport Town Hall. (Courtesy of Meetinghouse Arts\/ Anna Kim) <\/p>\n

FREEPORT \u2014 Freeport Town Hall is home to a new public art installation following the April departure of artist Pamela Moulton\u2019s trio of pink chewing gum-like structures.<\/p>\n

Like Moulton\u2019s \u201cPinkies,\u201d the new installation, \u201cPinecones with Tassel,\u201d uses recycled materials and conjures thoughts of Maine\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n

Created by local artist Patrick Plourde out of recycled shovels, two 250-300 pound pinecones and an accompanying twig with needles now sit in front of town hall by the picnic tables. A dramatically enlarged scene from the Maine woods, they also reference the state flower, which is not a traditional blooming plant but a white pine cone and tassel.<\/p>\n

The new piece was brought to Freeport in July through a partnership between Meetinghouse Arts and the town, which have been working for years to build public art infrastructure in the town center. The pinecones will remain at Town Hall for 18 months. <\/p>\n

\u201cI really appreciate that both the Pinkies and the pinecones have not only the sustainable materials piece, but they\u2019re tied to nature,\u201d said Freeport Town Council Chair Joanna Benoit. \u201cSo there\u2019s a tie to thinking about how we interact with our environment and nature that I think is a message we need to make sure keeps getting out there.\u201d <\/p>\n

Plourde, of Lisbon Falls, said his work is inspired by the natural items he collects: feathers, bird\u2019s nests, animal skulls, pinecones. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe genesis of everything for me was growing up in rural Brunswick on River Road, with the cattle farms, and pastures, and woods, and fields and farms. That\u2019s probably where I got my interest in farm equipment and stuff,\u201d Plourde said. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The pinecone sculptures in front of Freeport Town Hall were created from recycled shovels. (Courtesy of Merrymeeting Arts\/ Anna Kim) <\/p>\n

Eighty-two individual shovels went into making the Freeport pinecones, Plourde said. <\/p>\n

Another set of Plourde\u2019s pinecones were recently chosen<\/a> to adorn the Blaine House property in Augusta. The artist said the pieces\u2019 popularity has soared. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a crazy two months of dealing with these pinecones,\u201d Plourde said. \u201cThey\u2019ve taken on a life of their own.\u201d <\/p>\n

ART FOR THE PUBLIC <\/p>\n

Freeport\u2019s public arts push goes back to a plan adopted by the Town Council in 2022 <\/a>outlining the future of downtown life. The Downtown Vision Plan<\/a> identified public art as a key downtown revitalization strategy, said town Development Director Brett Richardson. <\/p>\n

\u201cPublic art was really part of a strategy that Meetinghouse Arts took a big lead on to sort of be the boots on the ground,\u201d Richardson said. <\/p>\n

Inspired by the Vision Plan, the green space in front of Town Hall that now hosts public art installations received a makeover in 2022 thanks to a grant from T-Mobile.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Patrick Plourde\u2019s pinecones were installed at Freeport Town Hall in early July, reflecting the town\u2019s investment in public art. (Courtesy of Meetinghouse Arts\/ Anna Kim) <\/p>\n

The pinecones are the second installation in the spot after the Pinkies, which town officials said served their purpose by getting people to talk about and interact with art \u2014 even if some weren\u2019t fans. <\/p>\n

Plourde\u2019s sculptures were selected by a Meetinghouse Arts public art committee, said Executive Director Suzanne Watson. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a perfect example of how a town that\u2019s been going for 40 years in one direction \u2014 which is largely national retail \u2014 is transforming or changing into a more community-based place that the downtown is seen as a gathering spot,\u201d Watson said. <\/p>\n

The best time of year to view Freeport\u2019s pinecones is yet to come, Plourde said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re beautiful when lit and snowed upon,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the one sculpture that improves with inclement weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

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