JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – An artistic showcase filled with poppies will recognize veterans for their service to the country.
The William N. Campbell Poppy Project exhibition, sponsored by St. Benedict Veterans of Foreign Wars Ream Miller Post 7783, will be on display from Friday through Nov. 17 in the main lobby of Scotus Hall on the St. Francis University campus in Loretto.
The project is named in honor of the late William N. “Wilbur” Campbell, of Carrolltown, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was an avid member and quartermaster of the VFW post.
Jessica Campbell, director of the university’s Center for Fine Arts, said the VFW post had an abundance of poppies left over from parades and was looking to put them to good use.
“My father-in-law mentioned students creating artwork, and the project was born,” she said. “He passed away after we started this last year, and the university suggested naming it after him.”
For the project, middle and high school students were invited to submit group or individual artwork using poppies in honor of veterans.
“I put together a presentation for them on what the poppy symbolizes,” Campbell said. “We asked that they incorporate at least one fabric poppy into their design, whether it’s two-dimensional or three- dimensional. Each school was given between 300 to 500 poppies to work with.”
About 140 students from Altoona Area, Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic, Cambria Heights, Greensburg Central Catholic and Penn Cambria high schools and Penn Cambria Middle School are participating.
“Last year, we had a nice collection of two-dimensional or three-dimensional works, with some students even fashioning clothing and replicating Vietnam helmets, so I’m really excited to see what they come up with this year,” Campbell said.
The pieces will be judged by members of the VFW post, including board members John Eckenrode and Carl Campbell, along with VFW auxiliary members Janet Campbell and Becky Shero.
“I’ve steered them toward looking for quality,” Jessica Campbell said. “It’s really what they like and what they are drawn to.”
First place will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50.
In addition, there will be a people’s choice award; viewers to the exhibit can vote for their favorite.
“This is a way to remember our veterans and where our freedoms come from,” Campbell said. “It’s also a way to incorporate this into curriculum because we’re not teaching about Veterans Day in our art classes.”
There is no fee to attend the exhibit. Viewing hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We hope people will be able to appreciate the creativity and the talents of our local youth,” Campbell said.
For more information, visit www.francis.edu.