Anniversary art exhibit opens in Pentagon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Air Force's top leader opened up the 60th Anniversary Art Exhibit at the Pentagon here Oct. 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"We have a wonderful heritage," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne to the crowd of more than 60 people, to include Air Force Art Program artists, who were standing between corridors five and six on the Pentagon's first floor. "The celebration of our Airmen's work is captured here in the celebration of great artistry."

Along the halls of the corridors hung the works of several artists from over the years. Watercolors depicted aircraft in flight and Airmen working alongside each other. Outside of the corridors, in the Pentagon's courtyard, sat two vehicles covered with custom painting.

Artist Mickey Harris painted a Hummer for CNN called "Warrior One" which is a tribute to two camera people the media organization lost in Iraq. The other vehicle, a pick-up truck called "Standin' Proud" showed images of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and listed the names of men and women killed in combat.

The Air Force Art Program began in 1950 when the U.S. Army transferred about 800 works of art documenting the early Army Air Corps to the Air Force. Around the same time, General Curtis LeMay began a "portrait" program.

Keith Ferris, who has been part of the Air Force Art Program for 45 years, spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Our job is to paint for posterity," he said. "We have a real responsibility to do a painting that is going to last for 200 years or more."