Soldiers father Bob Courtney with Lilburn artist, Thomas Bateman Jr. of Lilburn Ga. pose in front of The portrait of Sgt. Kelley Lance Courtney at the Museum of Patriotism down town Atlanta, September 8, 2007
For more information on Lilburn Artist, Thomas Bateman Jr. you may contact his Home/Studio 678-386-7010 www.thomasbateman.net
Atlanta Fine Arts League is sponsoring the Art From the Heart project in which professional artists donate portraits of the fallen Georgia soldiers to surviving family members.
Atlanta, Ga. October 2, 2007—The Atlanta Fine Arts League (AFAL) has organized a project to commemorate and memorialize Georgia soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The project, Art From the Heart, has enlisted the help of volunteer professional artists to create and donate 24-inch by 20-inch framed oil portraits of Georgia’s fallen soldiers to surviving family members wishing to participate.
Families receiving portraits took part in a special nonprofit exhibition from September 8, 2007 until September 30, 2007 at the National Museum of Patriotism in Mid-town Atlanta. The opening reception to honor the families and soldiers on took place on Saturday September 8th. The families, artists, and guests had a time together to honor the sacrifice of 54 of Georgia’s fallen heroes with a viewing of their portraits displayed with written biographies of each soldier. Distinguished Georgia military and civic leaders spoke including Lt. General David Poythress. The exhibit will be hosted by the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd building from October 3 until October 31, 2007. The Art From the Heart exhibit will be featured at the World of Coca-Cola from November 1 until November 14, 2007.
“Through this exhibit we are hoping to honor each soldier as an individual. The exhibit is also about recognizing the families of the soldiers for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country.” said Geri Zaki, a founding member of AFAL. “It also allows the public an opportunity to put a face with the many names and numbers associated with these brave men and women,” said Leah Henry, a founding member of AFAL. “This project allows artists give back to the community in a very unique and special way,” said Lisa Gleim-Jonas, another founding member of AFAL and creator of Art From the Heart project.
Five Gwinnett artists have painted portraits for this project; Thomas Bateman of Lilburn, Dominique Marsh of Snellville, Sivananda Nyayapathi of Suwannee, Lois Pahl of Dacula, and Geri Zaki of Lawrenceville. Lilburn artist Thomas Bateman painted the portrait of Marine Sgt. Kelley Courtney who recently had the Hartley Bridge Road and I-75 Interchange dedicated to his memory.
Although the exhibit will end on November 14, the Atlanta Fine Arts League will continue to paint the portraits of our Georgia soldiers that have been lost in the war. Families of Georgia soldiers lost in Iraq or Afghanistan may contact Geri Zaki at (770)979-3044 for further information about participating in the project. Artists wishing to volunteer may also contact Mrs. Zaki or go to our website at www.AtlantaFineArtsLeague.org. Many of the completed portraits can be viewed on the AFAL website at www.atlantafineartsleague.org/ARTFROMTHEHEART.HTML.
The Atlanta Fine Arts League was created in the spring of 2005 by a group of community minded Atlanta artists as a catalyst for the Art From the Heart project. AFAL’s goals are to provide professional visual artists opportunities through exhibitions, art and business education and to offer opportunities for community service projects through art.
For additional information, contact:
Geraldine (Geri) Zaki (770) 979-3044 (home and studio)
AtlantaFineArtsLeague@yahoo.com
www.AtlantaFineArtsLeague.org