The artist behind a project to fly 60 flags from lampposts on Stourbridge ring road said he hoped it would spread joy and positivity.
Public artist Luke Perry, who has permission from Dudley Council, worked with students from King Edward VI College to create flags celebrating the identity, creativity and voices of Stourbridge's young people.
Part of the mission is to combat negativity some had associated with the mass organisation of flying national flags without authorisation across town and cities in recent months.
"This project was about making a platform so that people could say something really positive," Perry said.
Since last summer, thousands of St George's and Union flags appeared in communities across the Midlands.
Patriotism was initially cited as the reason but groups such as Midlands-based Raise the Colours have gone from putting flags up in Birmingham suburbs to destroying small boats on French beaches.
Several people have reported being verbally abused by people erecting St George's crosses and union jacks, including in Moseley and parts of Shropshire, but many have said they enjoy seeing the flags flying high.
Mr Perry said the Hearts of Stourbridge project was a response rather than a counter protest.
"Some people have said, 'you're not patriotic', but British values like tolerance and inclusion are literally British values," said Mr Perry, adding "there's nothing more patriotic than wanting to make your home a better place, and that's what these young people are doing."
The Hearts of Stourbridge project has been supported by Dudley Council, funded by Arts Council England and delivered with the Black Country social enterprise Powered By Can.
Kaitlyn, 16, made around 10 of the flags, and said: “It’s a form of expressing yourself creatively so it might inspire more people to let their emotions out in creative ways rather than negative ones.”
Evadne, 17, worked with two of her friends on a flag depicting a rat playing a saxophone, highlighting their love of music.
She said: “People are enjoying it; there are so many flags with so many different meanings.”
Jerrel Jackson, chief executive of Powered By CAN, said: “We have been able to create a meaningful opportunity for young people to share their creativity and contribute to the cultural life of their community.”
King Edward VI College assistant principal Stuart Eaves said the reaction from residents and businesses in the town had been good, adding: “Young people get quite a bit of negative press and it’s something we wanted to get involved with to share positivity in the local area.”