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Kentucky Arts Council’s Veteran Project Exhibit features artwork of military veterans and families


The artwork of 41 artists, along with members of one American Legion post, has been selected for a Kentucky Arts Council exhibit that highlights the artwork of military veterans and their families.

The Kentucky Veteran Project Exhibit features 44 pieces of art by military veterans and family members of veterans. The inspiration for the exhibit came from discussions the organization Americans for the Arts has been having with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Creative Forces initiative. It also had its genesis in the conversations started at the arts council’s 2017 Creative Industry Summit in Morehead.

“We wanted to do something to highlight the creativity of our own veterans while honoring their sacrifices and service to our country,” said Chris Cathers, arts council interim executive director. “We’re also working with the state veteran centers to develop meaningful healing arts programming.”

The Kentucky Veteran Project Exhibit will be on display at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort through Nov. 28. Beginning in December, it will travel around the state until December 2019 for view in a variety of venues.

“The artwork in this collection is first-rate, representing a wide range of subject matter and mediums. The subject matter ranges from very personal reflections on war and sacrifice as well as pride and patriotism,” Cathers said.

“We wanted to give the artists the opportunity to express themselves without asking them to fit a theme, and the result is spectacular. What we received is an eye-opening reflection of what military service means for veterans and their families,” Cathers said. “We can’t wait to open this exhibit and then to send it on the road so that all Kentuckians can see the outstanding artwork by our veterans and their families.”

The exhibit host venues will be announced later this month.

Veterans whose art will appear in The Kentucky Veteran Project Exhibit, listed by name, county, branch of service, title of work and artistic medium are:

Members of American Legion Post 74, Trigg, all branches, “Never Alone,” mixed media

Herb Bradshaw, Jefferson, Army, “Flamingo,” 2D mixed media
Raymond Bridewell Sr., Campbell, Army, “Bear Hunt,” wood
Ember Canada-Kawarada, Fayette, Army, “Uchitel,” oil on canvas
David Coffey, Wayne, Army, “First Lift,” oil on canvas
DeAnna Deneen, Jefferson, Air Force, “Missing Daddy’s Blue Eyes,” stained glass
Darren Douglass, Fayette, Marine Corps, “Time” and “Decapitated Justice,” mixed media
Norma Drish, Jefferson, Army, “Barn by a Creek, Irvine, Ky.,” oil
Greg Elswick, Madison, Army, “Quoth the Raven,” copic marker
Damon Farmer, Woodford, Army, “Visualize the Future Peace,” acrylic on canvas
James Gundy Jr., Lincoln, Army, “Early Peach Blossoms,” acryla gouache and ink
James Kessinger, Anderson, Army, “Vietnam Memories R.I.P.,” oil on canvas
Rick Mjos, Calloway, Army, “Company Street,” oil on wood panel
Kimberly Mohammed, Hardin, Army, “Battle Scars of the Invisible War,” mixed media
Bobby Newton Sr., Fayette, Army, “Untitled,” mixed media
Bert Norris, Madison, Air Force, “The Jazz Band,” watercolor
Patti Poe, Warren, Army, “Peace,” acrylic
Scott Raymond, Boone, Army, “Roebling at Night,” photography
Jimmy Riley, Estill, Army, “Windows of Light,” photography
Mark Selter, Marion, Army, “Shavings,” oil on panel
Wayne Stacy, Franklin, Navy and Marine Corps, “A Portrait of Glades Creek,” photography

In addition, family members of veterans were eligible to submit work for the exhibit. Family members of veterans whose art was selected, listed by name, county, relation to veteran, title of work and artistic medium, include:

Connie Berkmeier, Kenton, spouse of Army veteran David Berkemeier, “American Icon,” wallpaper mosaic
Breanna Burkhead, Garrard, grandchild of Army veteran James O. Burkhead, “The Trees,” acrylic
James Burkhead, Garrard, grandchild of Army veteran James O. Burkhead, “The Daisy,” acrylic
Lori Burkhead, Garrard, grandchild of Army veteran James O. Burkhead, “Colors,” acrylic
Jack Girard, Fayette, child of Army veteran Charles Jack Girard, “Crux,” mixed media
Joseph Harvey, Fayette, spouse of Army veteran Mark Douglas Harvey, “Almighty Mountain,” oil on canvas
Kelsey Janes, Edmonson, child of Army veteran Glenn Janes, “Flight to Freedom,” graphite
Jeremiah Jury, Owen, grandchild of Army veteran James O. Burkhead, “Seeking Peace,” acrylic
Kristy Jury, Owen, child of Army veteran James O. Burkhead, “Gentle Fruit,” acrylic
Terri Maddin-Miller, Boone, spouse of Army veteran Bryan H. Miller, “Not Forgotten,” watercolor
Casey McKinney, Jefferson, child of Air Force veteran Harold McKinney, “Watchful Eye,” mixed media
Kamila Mohammed, Hardin, child of Army veteran Kimberly Mohammed, “The War,” acrylic
David Neace, Jessamine, child of Army veteran James Edward Neace, “Tractor,” colored pencil
Marie Waddell Pearson, Fayette, child of Army veteran Henry Marusak, “Cynthiana Sunset,” acrylic
Linda Pierce, Christian, child of Army veteran John Butts, “Man of Prayer,” acrylic
Judy Rosati, Jefferson, child of Army veteran LeRoy Werle, “Mt. Rushmore,” photography
Marcheta Sparrow, Franklin, child of Army veteran Selby Louden, “From Normandy With Love,” watercolor and ink
Nancy Stalls, Christian, child of Army veteran Ralph McCuiston, “The Gate,” photography
Paula Stone-Buckner, Montgomery, child of Army veteran Paul C. Stone, “Wings of Freedom,” acrylic
Kopana Terry, Fayette, child of Army veterans Norvin Shorty and Shirley A. Terry, “Shero” and “Hero,” photography
Angela Wells, Jefferson, spouse of an Air Force veteran Russell Wells Sr., “Home of the Free Because of the Brave,” acrylic

A slideshow of work in The Kentucky Veteran Project Exhibit is available online at the arts council website.


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