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News & EventsMineral Wells, TX
August 16, 2006The National Vietnam War Museum will host a special art exhibit of more than fifty works provided and selected by the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago. This deeply stirring presentation will feature in-country photographs and contemporary prints by sixteen American veterans who served in Southeast Asia from 1962 – 1971.
With the artistic assistance of Curatorial Consultant Colette Lemmon and technical assistance of Mike Endy, Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Business at Weatherford College, Weatherford, Texas, the exhibition will open to the public on October 21, 2006 at 11:00 am in Texas Hall at the Marjorie Black Alkek Fine Arts Center of Weatherford College, Weatherford, Texas, continuing through November 19, 2006. The public is invited to attend the opening reception, to be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 21, in Texas Hall.
"The artwork was created by Vietnam veteran artists, representing several military branches, and specialties such as infantry, mortuary lab technician, radio mechanic and helicopter crew member, said Dr. Jim Messinger, Exhibit Coordinator and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Vietnam War Museum. "It is with special Texas pride that the photography of Austin resident, and U. S. Army veteran, Jim McJunkin, is included in this distinctive collection. It is our hope that the public will visit this exhibit and use it to better understand the tremendous emotional impact of the war on those who fought it. This exhibition is the first in what we hope is a series of events designed to educate the public about that most controversial period in our history," he added.
Admission to the exhibit is $5.00 for the general public, $4.00 for past and present military, police, firefighters and college students, and $3.00 for anyone under 21. Parents are urged to use discretion when bringing young children to the exhibit, as the work contains actual images and emotional impressions of war experiences, powerfully rendered by our soldier/artists.
The gallery will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Special tours may be arranged outside of these hours, if necessary, by contacting Jim Messinger, Exhibit Coordinator, at 940-664-3918.
Net proceeds from the exhibit will be equitably shared between the National Vietnam War Museum, to be built in Parker County about 15 miles west of Weatherford on Highway 180, and the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago to benefit the missions of these different but complementary institutions.
The National Vietnam War Museum is fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as the inaugural venue for this compelling exhibit. After leaving Weatherford, the exhibit will travel to Oklahoma City, OK
Reproductions of the works featured in the exhibition may be purchased from the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, Chicago, IL, www.nvvam.org.
The Board of Directors of the National Vietnam War Museum is currently involved in a campaign to raise $25 million for the construction of the museum on a 12-acre site on Highway 180 about 15 miles west of Weatherford. The museum will be an educational institution whose mission is to promote an understanding of The Vietnam era while honoring those who served.
To be involved with this project, contact The National Vietnam War Museum,
P. O. Box 146, Mineral Wells, TX 76068, or online at www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org.
