Ohio native's veterans exhibit opens at Columbus museum
Collection of large-scale watercolor portraits continues through March 2021.
Cleveland nativeMaryWhyte's “We The People: Portraits of Veterans in America” opened Sept. 18 at theNationalVeteransMemorial and Museum in Columbus.
Seven years in the making, the 50-portrait series, one fromeach state, consists of Whyte's watercolor painting series of military veterans reintegrating into society and the workforce after military service.
“The people I painted, each a military veteran, represent all that is good and right about our nation,” said Whyte. “The taxi driver, schoolteacher, dairyfarmer, rancher, andastronautamongothers, are a collective symbol of the pursuit of peace and the freedom inwhichthiscountrywasfounded. All of thesemenandwomenonce signed a blank check on the value of their life and handed it to the American people.”
“Each veteran behind the portraits in ‘ We The People' has a story to share, and I respect and appreciateMaryWhyte's dedication to honoring them through their incredible talent,” echoed Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army(Retired), presidentandCEO of the NationalVeteransMemorial and Museum.
Whyte'sworkshavebeenexhibited nationally as well as internationally. She is also the author of “Working South: Paintings and Sketches by Mary Whyte” and “Down Bohicket Road: An Artist's Journey.” She is the recipient of the Portrait Society of America'sGoldMedal and the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award.
The Columbus engagement of “We The People” is the first stop for the traveling exhibition outside Charleston, S.C., where it originated in 2019. In support of the exhibition, the Museum and Whyte will present a seriesof interactive events including artist and veteran talks, live-streamed painting class and a behind-the-scenes tour of Whyte's studio.
“The veterans that I selected from each of the 50 states came from all walks of life,” Whyte added. “Most served unheralded though diligently and then return to live quietly with their families in the land they defended. Each representsthediversity, challenges and realities of living in America today. My ultimate hope is that everyonewhocomesseeswhether people will find themselves in the paintings. Theongoingserviceand sacrifice of our military remind us that the fundamental rights of liberty set forth by our forefathers is as imperative today as ever. Each generationmust carry the torchof freedom and justice before passing it on to the next. Into our children's hands and hearts, we place an inextinguishable bright light of hope. For thisprivilegewe remain ever grateful to our veterans.”
“We The People” continues through March 14, 2021. The National Veterans Memorial and Museumislocatedat300W. Broad St., Columbus. Foradditionalinformation, call 614-362-2800 or visit NationalVMM.org.