This exhibit is no longer at the Trout Museum, but I wanted to share it as an example of art therapy for veterans. The pieces shown in the photo below were created by veterans as part of The Return and Recovery Program For Veterans, a program administered by the non-profit Artists For the Humanities. These works offered a way for veterans to express themselves through art and to help provide healing. Click Here for more information about the program.
"Memory" Wood 20' Tall by Brian Duka Smith. "PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and
TBI (traumatic brain injury) are often found together win service-members returning from combat. This piece objectifies the feelings of disorientation and confusion that PTSD/TBI can leave on one in: it is the movement of thought and memory, trapped in the barrier of an injured mind."-- gallery card
"Lilies of the Field" Ceramic and Wood Tripod 24' Tall by Brian Duka-Smith
"A healthy mind, body, and should constitute a healthy individual. When any of these is broken or damaged, the balance is broken and the individual will fall, either physically emotionally or spiritually. With the proper therapy, rehab, and community support, and injured individual may regain his or her balance and once again stand tall." - gallery card
Gallery card for the photo below
"Almost Didn't See Him" by Sgt Darryl E Johnson
"TO Face" 2016. Ink on Canvas, Wood, Hemp by Todd Hartwig. "TO Face" generated from a group art therapy session. Each mark on the canvas is a descriptive mark left by an individual's fear, doubt or struggle in their daily life. After the session I transformed the marked canvas into the face form to signify that we can face our fears, doubts and struggles as long as we can process them. --gallery card.
gallery card for below paintings
F.S.B Cunningham in The A Shau Valley
Elysian Fields (artist unknown) "Some day we will gather with all those serving now and those who have gone before us, we will talk about the kinship we shared while deployed, and about serving something greater than ourselves. I'd imagine the Almighty reserves a corner of Heaven, where we will gather around a campfire to meet all our Brothers. We will tell our stories, though mostly happy times we enjoyed while on Earth." --gallery card
"Remembrance" 2015. Charcoal on Paper by Todd Hartwig. "Remembrance" is a depiction of the battlefield before what is to come. The scene is observed as being calm and peaceful for the time being. The calm before the storm hits. It relates to life, the feeling of when life is going well and all of a sudden a monkey wrench is thrown in. you have to do what has to be done whether you like it or not to survive. - gallery card
"USMC Iraq, the bigger picture" Digital Reprint of Four 24 x 36 Ink on Paper Panels by Brian Duka-Smith
"Each of these images depicts a different memory from Iraq. All Sixteen of them come together to create a ghost image of my own face. In politics, war is a game of numbers. On the ground on the front lines, all you keep sight of are your brothers and sisters in arms fighting beside you. The bigger picture of what war means is not some huge amorphsc geopolitical scheme: it is human life and the immense cost of lives broken or lost forever. War is the cost of our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, grandsons and granddaughters. It is weighing the cost of a few against the many." - gallery card
This exhibit is over with, but I still wanted to share some of what I experienced. It was a somber one spending time reading these stories. I spent time at every photo and there were many. The photos are of Wisconsin veterans of the World War II, Korea, and Vietnam wars. Beside each portrait was a personal story of what they experienced while serving our country in combat. These portraits lining the walls were taken by James Gill, staff photographer for Wisconsin Public Television. In the middle of the gallery space was a tribute to the fallen Vietnam veterans. Below are some photos from the exhibit.
part of the memorial for Wisconsin Vietnam War Veterans killed in action (this was in the front lobby)
One side of the memorial, there were seven two-sided panels
Each portrait had a personal experience of the subject next to it.
Ray Stubbe Wauwatosa. Navy, 3rd Marine Division, 26th Regiment, 1st Battalion. Chaplin. July 1967-January 1969 "Marines have asked me since, "Where is God in all of this?" I point to the fact that there was humor, which is maintaining life in a situation rife with death. There was sharing and a caring for each other. People in bunkers that would be out of water, and someone else would give them their last drops or go without food to give their last. Because we knew we were going to die we were somewhat freer to live...Some guy's out there by himself, wounded, and the rounds are going off. You just run out and drag him in. you know full well that you could get killed. I'd tell people, "God is the one who us gives courage to live. By having courage in the face of death, God is giving us life." God is present not in a spectacular show of force but in blessing us with the life and courage and a love of each other. Love is always an action, not an emotion."
So, I am going to take a little departure from the normal blog here and share with you a group my husband introduced me to - Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox. This is a group that we need to get to the PAC sometime either on the back of their current tour or on the next. The good news is that they are coming to Milwaukee on October 30. Click HERE for tour dates in your area. What I love about this group is they take popular songs and flip it and take you back in time. The vintage arrangements are so clever and the musicians and singers are so talented. If that wasn't enough they also tour with an amazing tap dancer that will blow your mind with her taps. Well done. Below are some links and videos...
Once a year some members of the Fox Valley Symphony play a classic rock concert with Vic Ferrari Band in Jones Park. The crowd turn out is always excellent and there are plenty of food and drink vendors for them. Click here to learn more about Vic Ferrari Band including a tour schedule. It is truly a fun time especially witnessing the members of the symphony having a blast "rocking out" (If you look carefully on the second video you will see a cellist leave the stage to walk among the crowd cello and all). Below are a few photos and a couple of videos. I did start closer but the recorded sound was terrible due to the high volume, so I sacrificed the visual for the sound. (note to self, bring the zoom lens next time).
the music was loud enough to hear clearly even back here
On Saturday, June 18th, The Refuge in Appleton held a celebration for World Refugee Day (which is actually on the 20th). Below are the highlights I was able to witness followed by links to news sources covering the day.
This building originally named Monte Alverno was a place for the Capuchin monks as a place of refuge. It is now a place of retreat for artists to create their works of art. Click here for more information about the space and the program there. Below are a few photos:
This beautiful main staircase leads to the performance chapel and to other gathering spaces
Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae - Americana - Nashville & Appleton
Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae and friends begin the celebration. Adriel gave a moving speech about how we should take cues from nature and embrace diversity into our community
J-Council - R & B / Soul - Appleton
J-Council. I first heard Jon Wheelock perform his original material at the Lawrence Chapel during Mile of Music last year. His voice is so fantastic the audience gave a thunderous standing ovation. His CD which was recorded at The Refuge should come out sometime this summer.
Click here to view a lovely article by the Post Crescent about Jon Wheelock and his Dad. They have been playing for many years in a cover band called Blues Talk and are continuing to perform together in J-Council.
getting ready to offer a proclamation for the World Refugee Day in the Fox Cities
Christopher Lwenzya
Christopher Lwenzya shares his story with the crowd. He is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo . He made a stand with his music while in his country and suffered greatly. His parents and siblings were killed because of his music. He is grateful to God for being alive and safe with his wife and children who are on stage with him.
"congo country", in the language of Christopher's homeland
a song of praise to God sung in English
here are the links from news sources covering the day (see if you can spot me in a blink or you'll miss it kind of way).
As part of "the Art of Conversation" series presented by the Trout Museum of Art and the Post Crescent a Mural walk with the artist Chad Brady was held on June 11th. There was a sizable crowd gathered to learn more about the murals you see around the downtown Appleton area. Below are the murals and art by this talented artist and the locations they can be found.
Artist Chad Brady who is originally from Washington D.C. describes one of his murals. He mentioned that his goal is to help make downtown Appleton beautiful. He draws inspiration from his clients and from the location. His work often starts as a sketch, sometimes even on a napkin.
Ambassador, 117 Appleton St funded by Papst Blue Ribbon
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave
Vagabond Imports, 113 E College Ave (80% is the artists design, the rest is a restoration)
The Alley Project at the History Museum at the Castle, 330 E College Ave (the artist mentioned that he may be adding to this soon for Mile of Music)
The Fire, 230 E College Ave (the first mural in this area by Chad Brady)
Antojitos Mexicanos, 204 E College Ave
Antojitos Mexicanos, 204 E College Ave
Antojitos Mexicanos, 204 E College Ave
Parklet (next to Copper Rock Coffee
Parklet (next to Copper Rock Coffee) This was a community project headed by Chad Brady with his design. I actually painted one of the purple ones on the mountain to the far right
The Cozzy Corner, 111 N Walnut St
The Cozzy Corner, 111 N Walnut St
The Cozzy Corner, 111 N Walnut St
Vacant building 115 S State St (plans are for a bar with a beer garden, the new owners of the building are love politics and music. Chad Brady started this piece shortly after David Bowie died, this is in tribute to him. date of birth and death are in the Black Star on the right hand side.
Fox River House, 211 S Walnut St. (Where the police station is now there used to be an Adler Brau brewery)
Wall near Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant, 501 W Water St (I had to finish the tour on my own on a different day, but look who I came across working on his piece! This is inspired by the paper industry and by the surrounding native american tribes)
