NOVEMBER 10, 2020 – FEBRUARY 6, 2021

curated by christina katsolis

ARTIST RECEPTION: FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 FROM 5-7 PM

about the exhibition

In partnership with the Atlantic Center for the Arts, this exhibition brings together works created by veterans with years of military service to explore their unique perspectives, personal narratives, and themes of service and sacrifice. With a specific focus on photography, Honoring our Heroes: The Art of Service and Sacrifice showcases an array of works–from film to digital to alternative processes–meant to raise awareness of our veterans’ experiences and honor their service to their country. Veterans from four branches of service–the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy–are represented and their photographic memories and service collectively range from 1959-2018, spanning conflicts from Vietnam to the present.

The majority of the works presented in this exhibition are an extension of the Southeast Museum of Photography’s Art in Action: Veterans Exploring the Visual Arts program. Through a series of workshops and open-studio sessions, Art in Action allowed veterans to meet and learn from professional artists, to discover and cultivate their own talents, and to transform their experiences through thoughtful and therapeutic forms of self-expression. Betsy Stange, a local veteran from DeLand and retired Lieutenant Colonel with the United States Army, stated of her work: “I love for my photos to tell a story…for those that understand the history before them, these images speak of times past and sacrifices made.”

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EXHIBITION

view a slideshow with selections of the artwork on display

BASTARDS’ ROAD

| exclusive screening | 2020 documentary film by brian morrison |

the road to redemption

This exhibition also features photographs from members of two military families, placing emphasis on the shared connections, concerns and emotional effects of deployment. An exclusive screening of sections of the documentary film Bastards’ Road (Directed by Brian Morrison) accompanies photographs taken by Daytona State College student–and Gold Star family member–Kerry Schrage.

about stacy pearsall

Stacy L. Pearsall was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and served as an Aerial Combat Photojournalist from Feb. 2, 1998 to Oct. 9, 2010. She's an Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom veteran. She is one of only two women to have earned the Military Photographer of the Year Award (2003 and 2007) and the only woman to win twice. During her time in service, she traveled to over 41 countries, and over the course of three combat tours, she earned the Bronze Star Medal and Air Force Commendation with Valor for combat actions in Iraq.

SALUTING OUR VETERANS

THE VETERANS PORTRAIT PROJECT

This exhibition includes a special presentation of photographs taken by retired Air Force Staff Sergeant and Aerial Combat Photojournalist Stacy Pearsall, who founded the Veterans Portrait Project. Over the last decade, Stacy Pearsall has honored veterans of all ages and branches of the military, one portrait at a time. Pearsall has photographed over 7,500 veterans from all 50 states.

Image above: Elizabeth Houx « Army E-6 Public Affairs, HR Garrett Houx « Marine Corps, Navy

Tremendous thanks to Stacy Pearsall for participating and to Triangle Reprographics for printing the works on display.

Honoring our Heroes: The Art of Service and Sacrifice is on display in the Pabst Visitor Center & Gallery at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, located at 1414 Art Center Avenue, New Smyrna Beach.

The exhibit is open to the public at no charge, November 10, 2020 through February 6, 2021.

A formal reception will be held on January 8, 2021, from 5-7pm.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF HONORING OUR HEROES

Can’t view the exhibit in person? Take a self-guided tour of the gallery from your desktop or mobile device.

Please take a virtual walk (or click) through the Pabst Visitor Center and Gallery to view Honoring our Heroes: The Art of Service and Sacrifice. Read the information below for helpful viewing & navigating tips.

Virtual Tour Tips

• To quickly navigate around the gallery, click on the white arrow links on the floor.  These arrows will allow you to “jump” ahead to visit a new section of the gallery. 

• To view any section of the gallery you wish, simply click “forward” and swivel left or right using the hand pointer (cursor) to direct your movements. 

• As you move closer and continue to zoom in, you will notice clickable icons appear–an “i” or “camera”–which gives you a close-up view of a particular object or exhibit panel.

Please note: This tour has been tested and should work on all common devices, browsers, and operating systems (using a desktop computer with Windows, Mac or a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android). Functionality and appearance may vary from device to device.

SERVICE SNAPSHOT - AIR FORCE

Additional snapshots to come!