Two acrylic paintings celebrating America’s 250th anniversary are on display at Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank’s main office on Broadway, the work of Summit Hill artist Geraldine Gardiner.

The paintings — both titled “America” — depict scenes from the nation’s founding, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence alongside Betsy Ross and Gen. George Washington, as well as a bald eagle, the Liberty Bell and colonial-era “Spirit of ‘76” musicians.

Gardiner said the project grew from personal inspiration.

“I was really inspired to paint, knowing that the 250th year of our nation was coming,” she said. “I had a strong sense of dedication and pride, which overwhelmed me. I knew I had to paint, so as an American citizen, the pride spilled over into these two acrylic paintings.”

Craig Zurn, JTNB president, said the idea took shape after a conversation with Gardiner’s husband.

“He was talking about his wife doing this project and that she was a very proud American, very patriotic,” Zurn said. “I said, when she’s done with them, I’d be happy to display the paintings or even buy them.I thought this was appropriate for this time of year, for our 250th anniversary.

The timing also aligned with a milestone of the bank’s own.

“We’ve just been celebrating our 170th anniversary,” Zurn said. “We do take great pride in our history and in the country’s history.”

Gardiner said the bank was a natural home for the paintings.

“Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank was always committed to serving the community and doing special things like this,” she said. “They had the same spirit that I had, as far as being dedicated and having pride in America.”

The paintings are currently on display at the main Broadway office, which draws both local customers and tourists during the town’s Semiquincentennial celebrations. Zurn said he eventually plans to rotate them to the bank’s other branches but wanted to start at the flagship location.

“Right now, I’m going to Broadway because we get a lot of tourists that come in,” he said. “It ties the theme here at the main office.”

Customer response has already been enthusiastic.

“They’ve already enjoyed them and they just take great pride in it, all of them,” Zurn said. “I think the whole community is inspired by this anniversary.”

For Gardiner, the commission adds to a career spent creating work for the region. In 2014, the Jim Thorpe Art League invited local artists to submit paintings for a Black Diamond celebration benefiting St. Luke’s University Health Network. Her submission was selected, and a large oil painting now hangs at St. Luke’s-Miners Campus. She said painting has always been a deeply absorbing pursuit.

“I get lost in my painting,” Gardiner said. “I could be at it and think I’m only going to be there for an hour or two, and I’m there the whole day. It’s a good way to get through and express things you’re thinking of.”

Zurn said the commission reflects values the bank holds year-round.

“All our people are really enthused and proud to be American, very thankful and appreciative of the freedoms that we have, and I think that also spills into the community bank spirit and mindset,” he said. “It’s just a great feeling — this fun little simple thing that we take great pride in being able to commission and sponsor and purchase these paintings to reflect our true feelings of patriotism.”