The Bright Side of Darkness

WORDS Jeanni Brosius images Jeanni Brosius and courtesy Jon Clowers

THERE IS A GRAY BRICK BUILDING on Ouachita

Avenue in Hot Springs wrapped in pictures of various Star Wars characters and superheroes. Inside the building is much more than just a Star Wars museum. It’s a portal to the past.

Walking through the front door, customers can meander around a gift shop filled with action figures, comic books and other fun things. But once the tour of the museum begins, guests are transported back in time to a retro arcade with old TVs connected to Ataris. Guests can take a little time to lounge in a 1980s living room and have a Polaroid picture taken while sitting on a plaid sofa that came straight out of the past. Walking through the museum and seeing all the old toys and memorabilia evokes memories and feelings from one’s youth. “I had one of those when I was a kid,” a man in the tour group excitedly said.

Over time, The Galaxy Connection has become more of a pop culture museum rather than strictly Star Wars. But for Star Wars fans, the interactive part is cool. Visitors can play with lightsabers and try on helmets and other props.

When it came to the interactive part of our tour, members of the group laughed and played with the lightsabers, one

young man wielded the Infinity Gauntlet while another picked up Thor’s hammer.

“I want people to feel free and have a good time,” said The Galaxy Connection owner Jon Cowers about the people who enter the museum. “I want it to help other people and encourage them not to worry about hatred, a virus or politics.”

Tour guide Andrew Holland has been working at The Galaxy Connection for about four months. Excitement is evident in his voice as he talks to a group about the history of some of the toys and comic books on display.

“I’m a big fan, and I love how a character can go back so far in our culture,” Andrew said. “I can come to work and geek out with other people who think the same way.”

In 2013, Jon had a vision. He also had a large collection of Star Wars memorabilia that he had been collecting since childhood. His vision included giving to others.

“I was trying to think of a way to give back to the community, because I’ve been very blessed,” Jon said. “I was born in 1977 – the year Star Wars came out – I remember by the time I was three or four, I started getting this stuff for Christmas. I was always so excited to get the toys and watch the movies.” As Jon grew, so did his collection, which consists of costumes, props, comic books, toys and much more. He began the collection by looking at yard sales and flea markets for various collectible toys.

Jon’s favorite item in the museum is the life-size replica of Han Solo frozen in carbonite, which you will see hanging on the wall midway through the tour. Jon researched online for about a year until he finally found a replica mold in California.

The revenue from the museum tours helps fund a nonprofit Jon started to help families in need and help encourage kids and adults.

“I had a few costumes on display [at the museum], and people started asking us to go to special needs events to help raise money,” Jon said.

Jon knows the power of the dark side. He began going out in his Darth Vader costume, and that seemed to inspire people. He reflected on the difficult times he had in his life and going out in his costumes to help others made him feel as if he was making a difference. He said he figured out how to turn this into a way to give back to people. That is when the nonprofit, The Galaxy Heroes, was born.

Jon and his wife Bridgett, along with a group of volunteers began receiving invitations to fund-raising events and other activities. They would show up as characters such as Superman, Batgirl, Spiderman, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader. Jon’s daughter even appears occasionally as Princess Leia. The Heroes have made appearances at hospitals, nursing homes and kids’ events, where everyone gets a comic book and trading cards.

During the Covid-19 pandemic shut down, Jon was able to keep the museum open only for family VIP tours. “We would find a family who needed some inspiration and offer them a VIP tour. Then we would give them toys and help with other needs the family had,” said Jon. Jon recounted a story about a child who had been seriously injured and spent several months in Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Jon said he put on his Darth Vader costume and was discretely ushered by the hospital staff into the child’s hospital room. “We came to his bedside and handed him a lightsaber and a carrying case for his action figures. He was very surprised and overwhelmed. We are always looking for new ways to outreach to help families in need.”

To learn more about The Galaxy Connection and The Galaxy Heroes, visit thegalaxyconnection.com or on Facebook, search The Galaxy Connection.