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ArtPrize veterans category attracts American Fallen Soldiers Project artist

americanfallensoldiers.com

During WGVU’s LZ Michigan ceremonies at Fifth Third Ballpark, a portrait honoring a Zeeland area fallen hero was presented to the Gold Star family of Marine Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Price who lost his life during a 2012 mission in Afghanistan. WGVU talks with the artist about his experience.

“ArtPrize is an incredible thing. I love what all the local artists do and beyond and it’s proud.”

Artist Phil Taylor began the nonprofit American Fallen Soldiers Project after painting the portrait of childhood friend Capt. Blake Russell who was killed in Iraq. Since then the Dallas, Texas artist has gifted hundreds of Gold Star families with canvas works providing comfort.

“It’s really rewarding for me to be a part of that and when you go into that part of the Gerald R. Ford Museum, you go to that corner, you look from left to right and you have Navy Seal David Warsen, then Specialist Brandon Stout, and then of course it come over to Gunny Marine Daniel Price and it ends up with Ross Smith. Each one has their uniqueness to themselves in eyes and tones, in status and also in appearance. So, I hope that when the kids and those who look upon those guys, first of all have a sense of appreciation for their sacrifice, but most of all walk away understanding that art can also be more than self-expression. It can also be a form of service to heal and to mend broken hearts. So that’s kind of what we represent in ArtPrize.”

Taylor’s 2-D exhibit is titled “Marine Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Price” entered in ArtPrize’s new veterans category.

Patrick Center, WGVU News

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.