Stockton Associate Professor of Art Mariana Smith with artwork she created for the Experience Veterans and Artists Collaboration exhibit at the Stockton University Art Gallery. (Photo by Diane D’Amico/Stockton University)
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Stockton Associate Professor of Art Mariana Smith never met the Army soldier who wrote about taking a wrong turn and getting his vehicle stuck in an alley during his first week in Somalia.
But she tried to interpret that feeling of being a soldier in a new land through her art as part of the Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaboration on display Oct. 27 to Nov. 17 in the Stockton University Art Gallery in upper L-wing.
“I feel that it’s an important message,” Smith said. “I’m in my studio making art, but artists also have a civic responsibility to be part of the community. It’s an honor to be part of this.”
The national project began in 2017. Veterans from all branches of the military, with service from World War II through Afghanistan, were interviewed about their experiences. Their stories were paired with artists in all media who made prints inspired by the veterans’ stories.
A discussion on the project will be held 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, moderated by Mariana Smith and featuring EVAC co-curator and artist Joseph VanKerkhove, co-curator Lee Fearnside and veteran Michael Giraldo via Zoom. Guests may attend live in the lower art gallery or via Zoom. Zoom information will be posted on the Stockton Art Gallery website, stockton.edu/art-gallery/
The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. Sunday. More information on EVAC is at evacproject.org/
