With the United States marking 250 years since its founding, expressions of patriotism can be found almost everywhere, including in a new exhibit being featured on cruise ships, high-end hotels and local galleries.
Part West Gallery, headquartered in Southfield, Mich., has launched a patriotic art installation benefiting the national military charity Operation Homefront. The initiative involves selling prints of an original interpretation of the American flag, with each sale generating a $250 donation to the charity plus funds from at least two private donors who have agreed to match whatever is raised.
“We have an artist who has a real heart for veterans. His name is Tim Yanke. And I thought, with America’s 250th, what could we do?” Park West Gallery Chief Operating Officer John Block said in an interview with Military.com. “I called Operation Home Front, and we launched the initiative.”
Proceeds From Art Sales Support Military Charity
Artist Tim Yanke’s patriotic masterpiece, Yanke Doodle II, is at the heart of the idea. Prints are priced at $990 and are being sold on 117 cruise ships, at Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons hotels, and at Park West Gallery locations in New York, Las Vegas, and Detroit.
So far, we’ve sold 100 of the prints, raising $25,000. We’re certainly hopeful that we’ll sell a lot more than that. I’m hoping there might be 500 of the prints sold, which would sell out all 500 made.
Operation Homefront is the benefactor of the initiative. The national nonprofit has a mission to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by providing critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from becoming chronic, long-term struggles.
According to the organization, 85 percent of Operation Homefront’s funding goes directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year.
“At a time when we are seeing increasing numbers of military families facing financial struggles, the support from Park West Gallery and its patrons is especially meaningful and timely,” April Postell, Operation Homefront Vice President of Critical Financial Assistance, said in a statement to Military.com. “Through the sale of this beautiful patriotic masterpiece, Park West is making a meaningful investment in our mission and in the families we serve.”
Art Piece Serves As Symbol Of Patriotism
Yanke’s artistic take on the American flag is both beautiful and meaningful. ‘Yanke Doodle II’ is described as a vibrant celebration of American heritage, optimism, and patriotism with a red, white and blue color palette, expressive style, and uplifting imagery.
“So the artwork is the American flag, and written on top of the flag is the first verse to the Star Spangled Banner,” Block said. “The flag is done in the exact dimensions that an American flag is required to be done in. But this particular work is bright and colorful and has a lot of meaning behind it, and that really resonates with people.”
But Block said more than the painting, the mission behind the initiative is driving sales.
“People are very excited about America’s 250th, and I think most people are generally patriotic and have a love of the country and appreciate what that flag means and the sacrifices that were made for our freedom,” Block said. “I also think the artwork is beautiful and the artist has done something incredible here. But the reality is I think the artwork is almost secondary. People want to support the charity, and people want to support veterans and their families, which is what Operation Homefront is all about.”
There’s also a personal connection between Park West Gallery and America’s 250th. The founder of the gallery, Dr. Albert Scaglione, was born on the 4th of July, giving gallery officials two patriotic reasons to celebrate and give back to Operation Homefront.
“I would encourage anybody to go to their website and find out how they can participate,” Block said. “Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, a friend of a veteran, or just someone who has a deep love for the country, I think it’s a great charity to become involved in.”
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