Memorial Day Weekend

What do you think of when you hear “Memorial Day Weekend?”

1) Barbecue with extended family and friends
2) A day off from work
3) Appliance and mattress sales

According to the Associated Press, “The holiday stems from the American Civil War, which killed more than 600,000 service members — both Union and Confederate — between 1861 and 1865.”

After much thought and research on the subject regarding the meaning of Memorial Day, Simone Bouyer (President of HAVarts Board of Directors) and I landed on “reverence and permanent rest for the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the United States of America.” 

To commemorate this year’s holiday we are showcasing three artists recognized for their work related to military service and the theater of war: Winslow Homer, Horace Pippin, and Marcus Jansen.

HAVarts Elects Board President

My name is Simone Bouyer, and I am honored and humbled to serve as the new Board President of HAVarts.

As an avid art enthusiast with a diverse range of experience, I am passionate about the transformative power of the arts. During my tenure, I plan to focus on strengthening our educational initiatives while enhancing our exhibition programming to showcase the works of talented, contemporary fine artists.

I am confident that, together, we can elevate the role of art in our community and ensure that HAVarts programs will continue to astonish and educate for generations to come.

Winslow Homer

“Army Teamsters,” oil on canvas by Winslow Homer, 1866.

One of the few Civil War artist-reporters for Harper’s Weekly Illustrated, Winslow Homer made three trips to the front line to document the battles and the living conditions of enlisted men.

The need for artist illustrations was beneficial to Homer and his development as an artist. Artist-reporters had to be good draftsmen, observant, and skilled at composing the work so that it communicated the scenes accurately.

After the Civil War, Homer led a distinguished career as an oil and watercolor painter, known for his scenes of contemporary life, landscapes, and seascapes. His work influenced generations of American artists to come.

Horace Pippin

“The End of the War: Starting Home,” oil on canvas by Horace Pippin, 1930–33.

This noted folk artist is known for his compositions of African American life, Biblical scenes and themes, and the horrors of World War I.

Looking at Horace Pippin’s works and reading his biography was uplifting. Pippin was a Purple Heart awarded, disabled veteran of WWI – he was shot in the left shoulder and lost the facility of his arm and hand. He had a yearning to be an artist before he joined the military and was injured. It is likely that he suffered from PTSD after the war and created his own art therapy for healing.

Learn more about Horace Pippin’s service in World War I, his successful career, and his unorthodox approach to materials by watching “In Conversation: Horace Pippin.”

Marcus Jansen

“Creeping Obstacles in Kansas,” mixed media on canvas by Marcus Jansen.

This African American artist was born in New York and spent his youth in Europe and America.

Today he’s based in Florida and New York. Jansen is a painter and mixed-media artist who brings a very global perspective to his work. He is influenced by graffiti artists or ‘writers’ in New York City. You can see this influence in his large, bright images which sometimes include text. Additionally, his work is a form of expressionism.

Because his work is very of-the-moment, focusing on today’s socio-economic and political climate, it elicits an emotional reaction in viewers.

HAVarts provides you with artists' biographies so that you gain a clear idea about who they were and context on the ways their identity influenced their style, technique, composition, and selection of medium.  

It is challenging to write descriptive comments about visual art because everyone sees things differently. Although the artist may have a very clear intent about what they are communicating, each viewer brings their own unique lens to the interpretation of the work.

I encourage you to open your eyes and your mind in order to see what the artist is conveying.

Hayes Advocacy for the Vegas Arts is working to provide opportunities for you to engage in the arts. Your donation helps us provide amazing seminars, impressive exhibitions, and engaging events.

HAVarts is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1978255.
Your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.