Many contributors to the work added writing, drawings and even stitchwork to the creation in response to the question of what the American flag means to them.
Early on, one of the contributors wrote on the artwork flag in bold letters the names “Devin, Lavel, D’Sean” – the first names of the three UVA students killed in gun violence in November. Many contributors to the artwork referenced the three students, making “Dark Flag” a memorial to slain students Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry.