World War II Sketchbook

In celebration of the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, Flatlanders Art Galleries will proudly host a tribute to this first national memorial to be dedicated to all who served during World War II. Veteran and Artist, Russel L. Snyder served in the Army Air Force during World War ll and sketched his way through three years of service. In collaboration with the dedication celebration, Flatlanders Art Galleries is proud to present an exhibition of Russel Snyder’s artwork titled "World War II Sketchbook." The exhibition consists of watercolors, pen and ink sketches, and pencil drawings detailing Mr. Snyder’s own experiences and those of his fellow soldiers during his term of service.

Russel Snyder was born in 1907 in Youngstown, Ohio but lived in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania from 1940 until his death in 1994. His art education began at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now known as Carnegie Mellon University. When lack of finances prohibited his graduation, Mr. Snyder joined the Army Air Force and served in the South Pacific, ending up in le Shima. While in the military he worked as Associate Editor on "Tough Street", the first American military newspaper. Snyder’s interest in art continued throughout the war and afterward he exhibited regularly. Mr. Russell designed the official seal for Youngstown College of Ohio, was a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburg and the Watercolor Society, and was accepted at the National Jury Show at Chautauqua Art Institute in Chautauqua, New York.

Mr. Snyder’s artwork is a journey into the history of our nation and reminds us of the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. On a grander scale, the National WW II Memorial celebrates Russel Snyder and the sixteen million like him who served in the United States Armed Forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home.

The reception at Flatlanders will be held on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15th from 1-4 p.m. and will include a short program recognizing the WW II generation. Speakers will include Dan Foote on behalf of Representative Marcy Kaptur, the exhibition’s CO-curator Melissa Growden, an area member of the American Battle Monuments Commission, and other area dignitaries. Refreshments will be provided and the reception is free and open to the public. The exhibition of Russel Snyder’s work will be open in advance of the reception starting Tuesday, April 20th and will close on June 11th, 2004.

Flatlanders Art Galleries are operated in conjunction with Flatlanders Art Supply, a full service stone carving resource. Hours in the galleries are Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Flatlanders is located 1 1/2 miles east of Blissfield at 119933 E. U.S. 223. For more information, call (517) 486-4591.