Giving art and ‘giving back’

By Chequira Harris
Special to The Johnsonian

Fine arts majors Alastair Hutchison, left, and Bryanna Smith -- Photo By John Rhodes: rhodesj@mytjnow.comDriving on south Cherry Road, the American Legion Frank Roach Post 34 is located on the left. There is a mural painted on the face of the building. That mural was painted by two Winthrop University students.

Senior Alastair Hutchison and junior Bryanna Smith, both art majors, are from Columbia, S.C., and are responsible for the artwork displayed on the wall of the Frank Roach American Legion Post 34.

The mural features the American Legion’s crest, the founding sponsors, and the American flag. Their job, Smith said, was to “give an identity to the American Legion.

Smith and Hutchison worked over the course of three weeks, working a few days each week, to complete the project.

Smith said she took the job because she wanted to contribute something to the community and to those who serve America since she never had the chance to before.

“This was something that I was comfortable and (at least somewhat) confident doing,” she said.

The Frank Roach American Legion Post 34 was created to help veterans deal with war-related issues such as injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to Hutchison and Smith, it is a community made by veterans, for veterans.

When Vice Commander Craig Charlton contacted Winthrop’s arts department through director of fine arts Tom Stanley, he was searching for students who may have been interested in painting the face of American Legion Post 34.

Stanley said he put a call out to students who might be interested in doing the project.

“I would like to think that the department has tried to set an example of community engagement over the years via its projects downtown and with a variety of area agencies,” he said. “I think our students are realizing that they can make a significant difference through their art and design. That is how we change communities for the better.”

Photo By John Rhodes: rhodesj@mytjnow.com

After he sent the e-mail, Smith and Hutchison stepped in and gave Post 34 a recognizable new look.

The American Legion was so taken away with the work of the students, Smith and Hutchison were allowed the honor of cutting the ribbon when it came time to display their work.

Hutchison said he felt painting the mural was beneficial toward his career goal.

“As a fine arts major,” he said, “the work we do in the studio and in our classes is exactly what we will be doing when we graduate.”

Smith said completing the mural gave her a sense of accomplishment.

“This gave me a chance to use the skills I’ve learned here to help someone else,” she said. “It may not have been the most ‘fine arts’ type of ‘creative’ job, but it was definitely craft and management, which is another huge part of what we do in our department.”

The Frank Roach American Legion Post 34 is located on 199 S Cherry Road. Veterans, or people closely related to veterans can be a part of it.