Artists Who Served Exhibit Open in Indio

INDIO — The Coachella Valley Art Center in the Valley’s largest community offers some of the most provocative art displays in the region and the current “Artists Who Served” is no exception.

“Artists Who Served” is an exhibition of works by four artists who have served their country in the military.  The exhibit will be available to view through Dec. 22.

This exhibition features the works of Michael Aschenbrenner, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam; Amber M. Hoy, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq; Thomas Gronowski, who served with the U.S. Air Force in Guam; and Wm. Marquez, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army.

In addition to illustrating creativity, “Artists Who Served” is an example of art by individuals whose creative output may or may not be influenced by their military experience, said Bill Schinsky, executive director of the Coachella Valley Arts Center.

Aschenbrenner, best known for his powerful glass bones, is revisiting ceramics as his material of choice.

Hoy is represented by her photographs and sumi ink paintings.

Marquez’s art, pictured above, is titled DEATH — DD214.

“When in a combat situation, soldiers float between death and life,” Schinsky explained. “The DD214 form is what you receive when you process out from active duty. Marquez served with an Artillery unit in Vietnam (in) 1968-69 for 420 days. (There is) one string for each day he served. red represents Artillery, green represents Army. The black bamboo structure represents Vietnam.”

Gronowski’s exhibit includes two pieces. The title of the wall piece, which is resin on acrylic, is  BROKEN PAYNE. The pedestal piece is titled SHORTY.

There is no particular meaning to either piece Schinsky said. Both were done as individual creative art projects.

“Artists Who Served” is available for viewing Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Art Center, 45140 Towne St. in Indio.

Schinsky is founder of the Coachella Valley Art Center, a community-based nonprofit organization. The Art Center strives to produce a veteran-related exhibition annually. The organization receives no financial assistance from the city of Indio and is dependent upon earned income, grants and public donations.

The two pieces of the exhibit shown here are simply a sample of what is on display at the Art Center.

For more information about the Art Center, click here.

For questions, contact Schinsky at bill@coachellavalleyartcenter.org.