The Patterson Foundation Honors Veterans, Inspires Patriotism Through Art

The Patterson Foundation shared today a preview of the commissioned art that will be integrated throughout Patriot Plaza, the ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery. The amphitheater is the result of a first-of-its-kind partnership between The Patterson Foundation and the National Cemetery Administration.

The art featured throughout the 1.83-acre space honors veterans and inspires patriotism while telling the story of the complex facets of service and sacrifice that touch all veterans and their families. The art at Patriot Plaza will cost approximately $2 million and is fully funded by the foundation. The plaza features work by nationally recognized artists from around the country-including lead artist Larry Kirkland-as part of the largest privately funded enhancement to a National Cemetery.

"This art truly is about touching the soul as it honors our veterans," said Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. "This is a legacy to all generations-whether you are serving, have served or know someone who has, you will feel the emotional story embodied in the art at Patriot Plaza."

The art featured within Patriot Plaza includes:

• Service, Support, Sacrifice and Witness to Mission - Larry Kirkland, lead artist

Serving as the lead artist and site consultant for the art at Patriot Plaza, Kirkland designed two sections for the north pedestrian walkways of the space. One section, Service, Support, Sacrifice, features photojournalism and text on white marble tablets that reflect the personal voices of those who experience military life. The other section, Witness to Mission, uses photojournalism on white marble plinths to tell the narrative history of the United States Military since the Civil War through the experience of the men and women who made history. Kirkland's previous work includes the Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.

• Night to Day, Here and Away - Ellen Driscoll

Using the themes of military family and the branches of service, Driscoll designed a mosaic of a fictional landscape for the amphitheater's rostrum (stage) that transitions from daylight to nighttime in a span of 50 feet to symbolize the time differences that are inherent in the lives of military families.

The mosaic depicts the five branches of the military through a line of ribbons awarded to service men and women for their valor. Two 20-foot-tall mosaic spires also carry this theme on the south walkways leading to the rostrum. Driscoll's prior work includes designing the gates at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City.