Open Door Gallery

Creative Valor: Recent Work by American Veterans

October 16 - November 9, 2012

This exhibit is a representative group of artworks gleaned from the National Veteran's art exhibit and competition that was juried at the VA Medical Center in Brockton, MA. The juried work was exhibited at the Massachusetts State House before going to the Open Door Gallery of VSA Massachusetts. The exhibit is curated by Jeff Melzack.

When we think of military personnel in the field of combat we associate much of their gear with the weapons that are essential to the mission and their well being. The veterans represented in this exhibit reveal another set of essential personal "weapons" that concern their well being as being just as important. In a way each veteran's artwork represents a "pen mightier than the sword idea". Only this time it's the brush and canvas or the craft knife, colored pencils or watercolor. These veterans have expressed not only the emotions and experience of combat, but also the humanity and creativity that each of these veterans possess.

The Artists

Larry Chambers, Los Angeles, CA

Josh Ebert, Milwaukee, WI

James Finley, Albuquerque, NM

Thomas Fusner, Chillicothe, OH

Gerald Hudspeth, Anchorage, AK

Bob Rosenburgh, Muskogee, OK

John Satory, Tomah, WI

Ronald Scarbough, Detroit, MI

Bobby Smith, Jr., Oklahoma City, OK

Yun So, Martinez, CA

Mark Westburg, Minneapolis, MN

Alvin Williams, Dallas, TX

Philip Wymer, Bay Pines, FL

Tom Yacovella, Syracuse, NY

The Open Door Gallery promotes the work of artists with disabilities and shifts our community's perceptions of ability while enjoying quality art.