Museum commemorates 60th anniversary with art exhibit

  • Published
  • By Sarah Parke
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Sixty pieces of art, one representing a significant event for each year in Air Force history, will go on display in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's Hall of Honor Oct. 17. 

The special exhibit is part of the museum's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

The exhibit entitled, "Heritage to Horizons: Commemorating 60 Years of Air and Space Power Through Artists' Eyes," displays art from the Air Force Art Program and the museum's own collection. Artists featured include Keith Ferris, Robert McCall, William S. Phillips, and Maxine McCaffrey.

"The museum began regular exhibits of aviation art in 2003 during the 100th Anniversary of Flight," said Senior Curator Terry Aitken. "We've continued these exhibits because of the enthusiastic responses we've received from our visitors. We are again proud to celebrate another milestone anniversary by presenting this 60-year survey of Air Force history as recorded by some of the best aviation artists in America."

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, U.S. military aviators worked persistently for the creation of a separate air force. Their efforts came to fruition Sept. 18, 1947, as the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate service equal to the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy under the Department of Defense. 

The Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sept. 18, 2007, and the museum supports the year-long celebration leading up to the event with this exhibition of official U.S. Air Force art.

In addition to showing people, aircraft, spacecraft and events, this art displays a common thread: the Air Force's core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence. The exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will run through October 2007.