Supporters of Barack Obama say he can bring hope back to America, but it was a group of Mainers who brought “HOPE” last week to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

On Monday, outside of the downtown Pepsi Center where the convention is being held, famed artist Robert Indiana unveiled his “HOPE” sculpture, conceived and created in support of Obama’s candidacy but constructed by two Maine artists with the help of metal workers at McCann Fabrication in New Gloucester.

“These are the ones that are actually a fun thing,” said Jon Ray of McCann Fabrication, the company responsible for the smooth, symmetrical slopes of the sculpture’s letters. “It’s great when it comes out looking like this one did.”

The sculpture, six feet square, is made in the image of Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” design: the first two letters atop the second two, with the “O” bent slightly to the outside. Indiana, a Vinalhaven resident, is working with American Image Atelier in New York City to use the “HOPE” design over a number of mediums, with proceeds from sales going to the Obama’s campaign.

At Indiana’s behest, American Image’s Michael MacKenzie was looking for a Maine-based foundry to sculp the piece. He enlisted Josh Dow and Lauren Holmgren of Green Foundry in Eliot, Obama supporters who were more than happy to play a role, however small, in the candidate’s nomination.

But Dow and Holmgren could not handle all the work at their shop. As the duo finalized design work and planned the construction with Indiana, they sent pieces to McCann to be shaped and molded.

A custom shop, McCann is often challenged by unusual patterns and different ideas. To make, for instance, the unique angles for the “O” and the “P,” McCann workers fashioned a mold out of a solid round bar. The job was a little different, though, than McCann’s usual work, which includes making stainless steel devices for the conveyors and bottling machines in Poland Spring facilities.

“It was kind of a trial-and-error thing to find the look they were looking for,” said Ray. “But if someone can dream it up, we can make it happen.”

The pieces forged at McCann, 50-75 in all, were then shipped the first week in August to Green Foundry, where Dow and Holmgren assembled the many parts under a strict deadline. The finished sculpture was shipped via special FedEx truck to Denver Aug. 18, just in time for the convention.

“It was completed on a Saturday,” said Dow. “Sunday, we cleaned it up. Monday morning it was on its way.”

Dow and Holmgren are both Obama supporters, and the connection to the Democratic presidential nominee makes the project more meaningful.

“It’s a great artist. It’s a great piece of sculpture. But that just makes it a little bit better,” said Dow, who with Holmgren is now in Denver “looking after the baby.”

Ray’s politics don’t meld as easily with those of the Illinois senator-“I’m not a Democrat,” he said plainly, with a chuckle-but he is glad to see his company work on such a visible piece of art. “I’m happy to do it,” he said.

Green Foundry and McCann may be working together again soon if all goes well for Obama in November.

Ray said McCann has been approached about making a second sculpture, this one double the size as the last, with six-foot letters. Are there plans to unveil another “HOPE” piece, perhaps at an inauguration?

“That’s just speculation at this point,” said Dow, with a laugh. “We’re just taking it one step at a time with this one.”

Josh Dow and Lisa Holmgren of Green Foundry in Eliot helped create the “HOPE” sculpture that was unveiled this week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. McCann Fabrication in New Gloucester completed much of the metal work on the sculpture, which was designed by artist Robert Indiana in support of Barack Obama.