More than 50 veterans display artwork at SU for 28th iteration of creative art competition

The Syracuse Veterans Creative Arts Competition, a large exhibition, provides a showcase for a range of work and artistic missions. Indeed, it features artworks such as Joe Hopkins’ drawing depicting a manitee; beadwork by Rebecca Jones; “Fall in the Adirondacks,” a black-and-white image by Edward Salerno; David Montminy’s oil painting portraying two birds, cardinals, on a branch. 

They and 49 other veterans are taking part in an annual show presented by the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse University and the Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center. The exhibit is at 101 Waverly Ave., on the first floor of the SU National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC).

There, visitors will encounter more than a dozen paintings. There’s Norman Roth’s fine oil painting, titled “Beth,” as well as Richard Rodriguez’s evocative acrylic which depicts a veteran sitting on a street corner. And Paul Fisher scores with “Lest We Forget,” a poignant artwork commemorating a veteran who didn’t come home from the Vietnam War. It combines several elements– a helmet, boots, dog tags, cross, and a firearm. 

Elsewhere, the exhibit hangs Patrick Vincitore’s small acrylic, “Coral Reef,” and “Art-n-Stuff” by Sky Low. The latter work, blending red, orange and purple colors, seems to convey an urban scene. In addition, bright colors play a key role in Dale Fiegel’s abstract oil, “Let There Be Light.”

“My Safe Place,” a watercolor by Laura Perry, communicates an introspective mood. It depicts the outline of a head, with scenes inside it. 

As in the past, the exhibition displays varied photos. Thus, Nic Phelps’ enlarged, color image of a carpenter ant co-exists with “Waterfall Foliage,” a color photo taken by Unique Williams. 

In addition, “Frankie and Jhonny,” by Melissa Bosco, captures a child and horse while Corey O’Neil’s “Disconnected” portrays a coin-operated phone booth, an object that was once pervasive but is seldom seen today. 

And the show encompasses other media: John Hunt’s colored drawing portraying his friend, Bert, and Richard Melice’s portrait,” Cristy Brown and Her Daughters.”

Beyond that, there are works devoted to both flesh-and-blood subjects and concepts. Michael Stevens’ carving of an owl sits on a pedestal across the room from Tammy Jones’ large quilt, “Stars for Everyone.”  It embraces the notion of liberty and justice for all citizens. 

Moreover, a large exhibit, like the current show, has room for imaginative pieces like David Fyffe’s assemblage sampling his “Mask” series. He works with found objects, arranging pieces of wood in the shape of a mask. 

Another artist, Joe Hopkins, has created works in which he paints with acrylic on jeans. In the NVRC exhibit, he’s embellished a pair of pants with images of hipsters. Look for his mixed-media piece, “Black Box,” which decorates a box’s surface with  striking imagery of several figures; they appear to be musicians. 

The exhibit, with its extensive arts menu, also presents written works and musical performances. Binders contain poems like “Forest on Fire,” in which Richard Rodriguez recalls when smoke from Canadian fires swept over New York State, and Deborah Cartnick’s verse recounting a time when she needed to get a prescription filled after hours. Other written work includes “Death Fills Up Your Eyes,” a visceral poem by Thomas O’Keefe Jr., and Lee Savidge’s essay, “Letter to Mom.” 

On a laptop computer, it’s easy to access musical pieces– Jeffrey Clem singing “Amazing Grace,” Eric Haynes performing the National Anthem, Mike Shatrau singing and playing guitar on his composition, ” Shame on the Moon,” and others. 

The local veterans creative-arts competition, now in its 28th year, is intended to enhance veterans emotional, physical and social well being. It’s part of a national competition; winners in regional competitions held around the country will have their works judged in a Denver, Colorado event slated for March 2024.

At the NVRC gallery, the local show is on display through December 8. The venue, on the Syracuse University campus, is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on Thursdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. 

Finally, the exhibit will have a closing reception on December 8 from noon to 2:00 p.m. For more information, email nvrcgallery@Syr.Edu. 

Carl Mellor wrote about visual arts for the Syracuse New Times from 1994 through 2019. He continues to write about exhibitions and artists in the Syracuse area.