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National Museum of the Marine Corps announces traveling combat art exhibit

Triangle, Va. (February 2, 2021) – The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and National Museum of the Marine Corps are pleased to announce the new traveling combat art exhibition titled Honor, Courage, Commitment: Marine Corps Art, 1975-2018. The exhibit features 36 works of art by 15 combat artists, focusing on Marine Corps service immediately following the Vietnam War through recent years. The exhibit will travel across the country from early 2021 until mid-2023. The exhibition has no extra charge, so everyone is encouraged to come and immerse themselves in Marine Corps history and experiences. The exhibit begins its tour in Tucson, Arizona, at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
 
"The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation proudly sponsored this exhibit in order to bring a piece of the National Museum of the Marine Corps to Americans across our great nation," said Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, USMC (Ret), president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. "We all benefit from understanding the history, traditions, and culture of the Marine Corps, and, through artwork, we are able to convey those experiences in a very personal and powerful way."
 
The majority of the artwork on display is from the inaugural Combat Art Gallery exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, located in Triangle, Virginia. The selected pieces include 34 works on canvas and two sculptures. The art speaks to the experiences of the artists, most of whom were deployed in combat. The Marine Corps' direction to these artists was simply, "Go to war, do art." The result is a rich commentary on the men and women of the Marine Corps who are "no better friend, no worse enemy" in their engagements around the world.
 
"Marine Corps art is up close and personal. It is about the individual Marine—in combat, during training, or while delivering assistance during times of great need," said Lin Ezell, former Museum director and the curator of the traveling exhibit. "This art helps us better appreciate those who have worn the uniform and those who continue to serve today." The traveling art exhibit allows the public to visually connect to the history and experiences of Marines, developing a deeper understanding of those who serve. A guide for young visitors helps those of all ages appreciate this exhibit. 
 
The exhibit will be at the Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona, February-August 2021, and at the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas, October-December 2021.  Three locations for 2022 will be announced soon.  The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, College Station, Texas, will host the art show January-May 2023.
 
 About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Dedicated to the preservation and promulgation of Marine Corps history, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds. The Foundation provides grants and scholarships for research and the renovation, restoration, and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. Having secured the necessary funding for the complete construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center, located in Triangle, Virginia, the Foundation's current primary mission is to vigorously seek financial support to provide continued leadership, strategic direction, and financial oversight in supporting and expanding programs at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and beyond its walls. For more information, visit MarineHeritage.org.
 
About the National Museum of the Marine Corps
The Museum is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The National Museum of the Marine Corps, under the command of Marine Corps University, preserves and exhibits the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps; honors the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines; supports recruitment, training, education, and retention of Marines; and provides the public with a readily accessible platform for the exploration of Marine Corps history. It is located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway in Triangle, VA,  and is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily except December 25. (Please check the Museum's website for COVID-19 related closure updates.) Admission and parking are free. For more information, see USMCMuseum.com.