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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Base Security US Navy Needs Civilian Aircraft Mechanics Getting High Patriotic Images Salute To Veterans An Ear to the Past Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
Patriotic Images The first thing Eileen Schwartz wanted was to lessen the pain. When the terrorist attacks hit Sept. 11 of last year, Schwartz, as did most Americans, experienced an overwhelming sadness. How she coped with that sadness became a vigorous art project, helping to define the slow but determined revival of the American spirit. Schwartz, a longtime English as a second language instructor at North City Center, began taking photographs of flags flying around city neighborhoods. “I started taking away some of the deep sadness I felt by observing and capturing on film these flags,” Schwartz said. “The more I took photos, the more I realized I was also capturing part of our country’s history.” Schwartz displayed her collection of flags and other patriotic gestures at Galleria Dell’ Aria in San Diego, and by then, the word had spread. Schwartz began receiving similar photos from area residents and even from other parts of the country. The result has been a series of flag-photo displays under the common exhibit name Flags Across San Diego County. “I began receiving media exposure, and the collection continues to grow,” Schwartz said. “The San Diego art community is very caring and involved, and so many people wanted to help.” The exhibit went on display at the Chula Vista Public Library, the USO San Diego, the County Administration Building and elsewhere. A collection of photos continues at Lindbergh Field through Feb. 28 and permanently at the Veterans Memorial Museum. “Now it’s going to become a national touring exhibit,” Schwartz said. “This project is about to become Flags Across the Nation, with well more than 1,000 photos.” Schwartz is getting the word out, asking residents in cities around the country to send her photos that can be included in their own hometown displays of the traveling show. “The idea is to eventually get the exhibit playing in Washington D.C. and New York City,” Schwartz said. “The thing people need to know is that these don’t have to be professional photos. They can be perfect, they can be blurry, they can be whatever represents the patriotic experience to the person who took the photo.” While this project is not associated with the college district, Schwartz has earned the support and help of fellow teachers and students. ESL students, from beginning to advanced, in classes taught by Schwartz and her colleagues hand made and sent more than 100 cards to people affected by the tragedy in New York. Schwartz, who was also the primary force behind the recent World Day at Miramar College, has paid for expenses from her own pocket. “It’s been such an amazing, heartfelt journey so far, and worth every minute,” she said. For more information about this project, call (858) 450-9044, e-mail eileenschwartzusa@yahoo.com or visit www.flagsacrossthenation.com.
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Examples of pictures in Flags Across the Nation
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