About the Project
Brushwood Center partnered with Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and two Lake County artists, David Motley and Everett Reynolds, to transform a stretch of tramway in the hospital into a mural commemorating the 10 year anniversary of Lovell’s designation as an FHCC. It is the United States’ first federal health care center that joined the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense into a single, fully integrated federal health care facility. The mural depicts the history of Lovell, from namesake Captain Lovell’s Apollo 8 Mission, all the way up to present-day operations.
15 veterans worked with mural artists David Motley and Everett Reynolds and Brushwood Center to design and paint the mural over the last year. Using a combination of Zoom, social distancing measures, and creative collaboration, the group found comradery and inspiration during some of the hardest months of COVID-19. The collaboration gave participants an opportunity to express themselves and honor Lovell FHCC’s service to the military and veteran community.
The veteran mural is available for viewing at Lovell FHCC. The project was made possible thanks to partnership with Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods and funding provided by the McCormick Foundation and Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs Cash Grant. Brushwood Center provides whole health services through art and nature programs to military veterans and their families.
15 veterans worked with mural artists David Motley and Everett Reynolds and Brushwood Center to design and paint the mural over the last year. Using a combination of Zoom, social distancing measures, and creative collaboration, the group found comradery and inspiration during some of the hardest months of COVID-19. The collaboration gave participants an opportunity to express themselves and honor Lovell FHCC’s service to the military and veteran community.
The veteran mural is available for viewing at Lovell FHCC. The project was made possible thanks to partnership with Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods and funding provided by the McCormick Foundation and Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs Cash Grant. Brushwood Center provides whole health services through art and nature programs to military veterans and their families.
Mural Ribbon CuttingThe Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods invited patients, families, community partners and the public to a jointly hosted 10th Anniversary Mural Ribbon Cutting & Reception. The ribbon cutting program featured the veterans and artists who created the mural, as well as special guests including Captain James A. Lovell, renowned astronaut of the Apollo missions and retired U.S. Navy Captain.
|
|
About the Lead Artists:
|
David Motley
David is a visual artist most known for public murals and special event programming. He is the founder of Urban Edge Gallery, is also a volunteer art advocate and board member for Art Impact Project, a non-profit organization in the Chicago area dedicated to enhancing emotional wellness through creative expression. He is also an actor and board member at Three Brothers Theatre, a board member of the Waukegan Arts Council, and the Vice President of the Board of Lake County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. |
|
|
Everett Reynolds
Everett is an oil painter and muralist, with a penchant for photo-realistic portraits. Originally born in Belize, he moved to Illinois with his family when he was 12 and has lived in Waukegan for the last several years. He is a self-taught artist, and created the incredible Bradbury mural on Belvidere Road in Waukegan. He uses art as a way to highlight beauty, strength, self-love, and creativity. |
|
