The Pritzker Military Library is pleased to host the 2006 Midwest Air Force Artists Exhibition. The 40 original works by 22 artists are made available free to the public prior to their accession into the permanent art collection of the U.S. Air Force later this fall.

MISSION: ART
Seeking to best match the artist & assignment, each artist is selected to participate in a "mission" based on their preference, technique & temperament. These missions often provide for two or more artists, resulting in a wide variety of technological and figurative works. Each artist receives official orders from the Secretary of The Air Force & accords the artists all courtesies & privileges as an equivalent grade of GS15/rank or O-6.

All work created is donated by each artist to the Air Force without any permissible tax deductions. The Art Program supports the artists' freedom to create any work based on assignments or historical reference. Before framing and submission, the art is reviewed & juried by the respective associations & participating organizations.

ARTISTIC DOCUMENTATION
The USAF Art Program and the beginning of its extensive collection of aviation art began in 1947 with the transfer from the U.S. Army of some 800 works of art documenting the early days of the Army Air Corps. That art documented its evolution from Signal Corps, Army Air Service and Army Air Corps into the United States Air Force. Recognizing the historical and morale enhancement value of such works, and to provide artists guidance for future additions to the collection, the Air Force established a formal art program.

For more than fifty years, the Air Force has sent artists worldwide to observe and record U.S. Airmen in the line of duty. The images of men, women and equipment are captured in oil, watercolor, and other mediums performing humanitarian service, operational training, security, combat maneuvers and other important tasks. Today, there are nearly 9,000 works in the Air Force Art Program. The Midwest Air Force Artists Association along with other notable organizations, including the Society of Illustrators and independent artists, are continuing to document Air Force personnel, equipment, locations and activities.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

• Richard Allison
• Tom Anderson
• George Clark
• Jim Conahan
• Bob Cooley
• Ken Dallison
• John Downs
• Konrad Hack
• Greg Hargreaves
• Rick Herter
• Evan Herrberg
• Al Jones
• Don Klappauf
• Paul Kreutriger
• Tom Morgan
• Jim Morrison
• Phil Renaud
• Dave Schweitzer
• Brian Snuffer
• Barbara Staples
• Tony Stencel
• Terry Wickart

This exhibition is sponsored in part by the Air Force Association Chicagoland-O'Hare Chapter AF142 and Bice Ristorante.