‘The Lost Heroes Art Quilt’ Continues National Tour at Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, CO

May 14, 2010 - PRLog -- COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – A gift to the nation honoring America’s fallen heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan, “The Lost Heroes Art Quilt” continues its national tour at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, CO, starting with a reception on May 18.  The exhibit will run through May 30.

Artist Julie Feingold created the 5.5-foot by 15-foot Quilt as a non-political contemporary work of art.  It includes 82 heroes reflecting the diversity of America – 50 in the center of the Quilt representing each state in the U.S. and 32 around the border.  A photograph and poignant words describing each hero’s unique personality, interests, dreams and hopes appear around each hero’s square on the Quilt, permanently memorializing each life.  

On the bottom row of the Quilt, beneath all of the heroes, Ms. Feingold has silk-screened the words to the third verse of “America the Beautiful,” which was written by Catherine Lee Bates when she stood on top of Pikes Peak in 1893.

Local Fallen Heroes
The Quilt includes 11 fallen heroes with roots in Colorado:
•   Marine Corporal Kyle W. Powell represents Colorado in the center of the Quilt and his parents live in Colorado
•   Air Force Captain Derek Argel graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy
•   Army Specialist Dane R. Balcon grew up in Colorado Springs, CO
•   Army Corporal Lyle Jim Cambridge was stationed in Colorado
•   Army Staff Sergeant Brian L. Freeman was stationed in Colorado
•   Air Force Captain Jeremy J. Fresques graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy
•   Army Sergeant Blake A. Harris grew up in Colorado
•   Army Major William F. Hecker III was born in Colorado Springs, CO, and represents Missouri in the Center of the Quilt.  His parents, Nancy and Bill Hecker, are moving the Quilt from the Colorado State Capitol to the Fine Arts Center.
•   Army Corporal Jason LaFleur grew up in Colorado
•   1st Class Navy Seal Marc Alan Lee grew up in Colorado
•   Army Sergeant Nicholas Turcotte grew up in Colorado

‘What We Do in Life Echoes in Eternity’
“The ‘Lost Heroes Art Quilt’ honors and remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” said Ms. Feingold.  “By recognizing their character, I hope to inspire others to find their own path toward community service and active citizenship.  If you take just one name with you and remember it, our heroes will not be forgotten – the actions of a single person can make a powerful difference.”

The Quilt was dedicated at the Families United Gold Star Family Dinner in Washington, DC, last fall and included in the keystone “Time of Remembrance” event at the U.S. Capitol, sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance.  The Quilt began its national exhibition tour at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center.
         
About the American Heroes Art Projects Foundation
The American Heroes Art Projects Foundation is a grass roots volunteer non-profit organization. In addition to its mission to use the communicative power of art to honor and remember the character of the people and families who give so much in service to our country, the foundation focuses on public education and a call to action.  The foundation offers a companion art book to the Quilt that features in-depth stories of each hero on the Quilt, the names of all that have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan as of July 4, 2009, and a full-color fold-out photograph of the artwork.  Edited by Gold Star Mother Nancy Hecker, the book is available at museum shops and online at www.LostHeroesArtQuilt.org with proceeds after expenses going to Snowball Express, the organization assisting the children of the fallen.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
•   Ruth Stonesifer, President of the American Gold Star Mothers.  Her son, Army Private First Class Kristofor Stonesifer, represents Montana in the center of the Quilt.
•   Nancy Hecker, Gold Star Mother of Army Major William F. Hecker III, who represents Missouri in the center of the Quilt.  She is also editor of the Quilt’s companion art book.
•   Julie Feingold, the artist who created the Quilt.

Media Contact for Lost Heroes Art Project and U.S. Exhibition Tour   
Strategy + Communications
Randy Savicky, 203-226-6156, randy@strategypluscommunications.com
(Public Relations Agency Donating Its Services in Support of the Lost Heroes Art Project and U.S. Exhibition Tour)

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