This May, there is a remarkable art show at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities gallery at 200 I (EYE) Street SE in the Navy Yard. The exhibition features the artwork of 125 artists including several Capitol Hill veterans. The art powerfully expresses the vision and personal stories of the participating artists.
Many of the artists tell the story of their wartime experiences. Some use art as a way to heal from trauma experienced while serving our country. The passion and depth of their work leaves one with a profound sense of gratitude for their service. But, even independent of this special dimension, the exhibition stands on its own as a compelling display of artistic talent.
“Behind the Uniform” is curated by Kasse Andrews-Weller, a longtime resident of Capitol Hill, and an Army and Air Force veteran. It is co-curated by Moira McGuire, Public Health Service, and daughter of a World War II and Korean veteran. The DC Veterans Administration Medical Center’s Community Living Center and the Armed Forces Retirement Home also have been involved in the exhibition.
Spotlight on Three Hill Artists:
Anne Crouch, Quilts of Valor
When you walk into the exhibit, your eye immediately goes to a large quilt covering the entire wall at the end of the gallery space. The dark red piece is 80 inches by 97 inches and was created by 11 area women in a quilting group called the Treasured Piece Makers. The group is led by 6th Street, NE resident, Anne Crouch. She and her husband have lived on the Hill for over two decades.
Anne is a representative of Quilts of Valor, a national foundation that provides service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts honoring their valor. “Our quilts are not nearly as large as the special one we made for this exhibit,” Anne says. “They are usually more lap size.” Veterans are nominated to receive the special quilts and they are hand delivered. “I have probably made 50 of them over the last 30 years,” says Anne. “I am not a veteran myself but really enjoy working on these quilts.”
The piece in the exhibit is machine quilted and the fabric in each star is from a uniform worn by someone in each of the different service branches. Glued on top of the stars are mission logos. The effect is mesmerizing and a great interpretation of the art show’s theme. Anne says when the exhibit is over the quilt will go to the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago.
Jeremiah Foxwell, Painter
Jeremiah lives on 6th Street and is currently serving as ANC Commissioner for 6C01. When the twin towers fell in 2001, Jermiah left art school to enlist in the Navy. “I sometimes feel like I am part of the lost creative generation,” Jeremiah says. He sought out a path of service focused on defusing explosive devices, a highly stressful and dangerous operation. Jeremiah estimates that he carried out 372 missions to defuse bombs in Iraq. “You become quite close to your two-person team partner, and for me that was Kevin Powell.” Jeremiah’s painting in the show honors his team partner.
Like many other veterans, once out of the service Powell suffered from the effects of his war experience. Even after care in a VA hospital, Jeremiah says Kevin eventually didn’t “choose life.” Jeremiah’s painting in the exhibition tells his partner’s story and depicts Kevin in his bomb diffusion suit. The piece also includes a QR code visitors can use to hear a ten-minute story honoring Kevin. “I often paint calming topics, like phlox and flowers, or Capitol Hill homes,” says Jeremiah. “But I have been encouraged to paint my emotions more, and this painting is the first time I actually did it, and it is a really powerful piece for me.”
He starts with a base of acrylic paint, then uses oil pastels to layer on contrasting colors. Next he uses a knife to scrap some of the paint off. The strong use of color throughout the piece creates tension. The writing along the outside of the piece acknowledges that 22 veterans a day die from suicide. Jeremiah says he prefers to think of suicide as not choosing life and wanted to include the phrase in the piece.
The medals awarded to Kevin Powell also are part of the painting, and the first time Jeremiah has used collage elements in his work. “I am honored that his family let the medals be part of the art.”
Nan Raphael – Ink and Photographs
Many Hill residents may know Nan, who moved to Capitol Hill in 1979, as a musician. She served as the only piccolo player in the US Army Field Band from 1977 until 2003. Just five days after graduating from college with a music education degree, Nan was at basic training.
Her piece in the Uniform exhibition uses a background photo that is lightened and layered several times. Nan then uses an app, Snapseed, to draw the circles and elements of her design. Next, she finishes the design using colored ink. Her art pieces are in the form of mandalas, which means circle in Sanskrit. Traditionally a mandala symbolizes unity, harmony and an interconnectedness of all things. Nan’s art for this show is titled Dazed and Confused.
“I have always doodled with the arts,” says Nan. Her first art exhibit was at Eastern Market and for years she worked with polymer clay and making jewelry. “Ideas come to me while I am swimming my laps,” says Nan, and in 2015 the idea of using architectural templates to make designs and then color or paint them changed the direction of her art.
Nan often uses current events to influence her work. The precision of her work is what makes the pieces so exquisite and relatable.
These veterans all say that living on Capitol Hill provides them with a sense of community and with opportunities to find, as Jeremiah says, “a creative spark to produce art.” Behind the Uniform is a chance for art lovers and history buffs to view personal stories of our service members. The show runs through May 23rd. It is an art show not to miss.
The gallery is open Monday through Fridays from 9:00 to 5:30 pm.
Rindy O’Brien explores local art and artists. Contact her at rindyobrien@gmail.com
