Contact: Lisa W. Williams, Executive Director of University Relations
Event Update: TU Supports Veterans through Art and Charity
EVAC - Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations
TIFFIN UNIVERSITY, Tiffin, OH—Veterans commit suicide at an alarming rate of 20 per day – surpassing the civilian suicide rate in 2008. In support of veterans, Tiffin University will host events and a gallery exhibit.
Below is a list of different events planned at Tiffin University and the surrounding community:
· 10/3 and 10/17, Buffalo Wild Wings give-back
o Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 15 percent of their sales to the EVAC project from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
· 10/7, TU art gallery opening
o TU’s Diane Kidd Gallery will host an exhibit and opening reception for veteran-inspired artwork entitled, “Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC),” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
· 11/9, Silent auction
o TU’s gallery director will host a wine tasting and silent auction of the veteran artwork at Feasel's Garden Center in Findlay, Ohio, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. All auction proceeds will benefit four veteran charities: Fisher House, Homes for our Troops, the Women in Military Service Memorial and Tiffin University Veteran’s Program.
· 11/10, Cleveland airport art gallery opening
o The Cleveland Hopkins Airport’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones Art Gallery will host the EVAC exhibit and have an opening reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
About EVAC
Curated by Gallery Director Lee Fearnside, Assistant Professor of Art Joe Van Kerkhove and Assistant Professor of Chemistry John Schupp, EVAC works to combat the isolation common to veterans, and to bridge the sometimes precarious gap between military and civilian life through stories and art.
“Part of the goal of this project is to debunk stereotypes of military experience,” said Fearnside. “People tend to view the military as wounded warriors or heroes, which doesn’t allow for experiences between those extremes. We wanted to use this project to show a glimpse into military life people may not know.”
The Process
Twenty-one veterans, who served during WWII through Iraq and Afghanistan, were interviewed by 22 artists from all over the country and Denmark about their military experiences. These veterans and their stories were paired with artists who made an edition of prints based on their interpretation of what they heard.
EVAC is about the art of interpretation. Veterans and the artist did not talk to one another; rather, the artist interpreted the veteran’s interview. “It is interesting to see what part of the interview the artist chose to interpret,” said Van Kerkhove. “I hope veterans see how a civilian may hear and interpret their story.” Viewers will see the image and excerpts from the interviews side by side.
For additional information, contact Gallery Director Lee Fearnside at:
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