Nearly 30 large-format color portrait photographs will be on view at the Chazen Museum of Art in the exhibition Back in the World: Portraits of Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans. As part of its Wisconsin Stories project, Wisconsin Public Television has produced documentaries about Wisconsin veterans’ experiences in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. During production of the Vietnam project (to air in 2010), photographer James Gill took portraits of the veterans who participated in the documentary as a tribute to their service. These photographs provide insight into the veterans' memories and experiences, which they carry long after the war ends. The scale and presence of the images, combined with brief excerpts of interviews with their subjects, place them in a long tradition of art that delivers a powerful social message. The exhibition will be on view in Mayer Gallery from October 31, 2009–January 3, 2010.

Events
• PANEL DISCUSSION AND RECEPTION, Wednesday November 11 (Veterans Day)

--6:00 p.m. Opening remarks by photographer James Gill, followed by a panel discussion with Vietnam veterans George Banda (Milwaukee) combat medic, 101st Airborne Div.; Bruce Jensen (West Allis), gunners mate, USS Stone County, Mobile Riverine Force; James Kurtz (Middleton), platoon leader, 1st Infantry Div.; Rev. Ray Stubbe (Wauwatosa), Navy chaplain, Siege of Khe Sanh; Willie Williams (De Forest), staff sergeant, 25th Infantry Div. Moderated by Mik Derks, Producer, Wisconsin Public Television

--7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Reception with refreshments and a cash bar

• GALLERY TALK with photographer James Gill, Thursday November 19, 7:00 p.m.

This exhibition is presented by the Chazen Museum of Art in conjunction with the documentary film project Wisconsin Veterans War Stories, a partnership of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and Wisconsin Public Television. The opening reception is sponsored by Associated Bank and the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

Generous local support for this exhibition has been provided by the Chazen Museum of Art Council, Hilldale Fund, Brittingham Fund, and Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Return to Current Exhibitions

The Chazen Museum of Art is open Tuesdays–Fridays 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission to galleries and educational events is free. The museum is located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is accessible to wheelchairs from the north entrance (nearest to Library Mall). An elevator is down the corridor to the right.

Parking is available at the City of Madison State Street Campus Ramp (entrances on Frances and Lake streets) and in the University Square parking ramp, entrance on Lake Street. Metered parking is available in the lower level of UW Lot 46, entrances on Lake and Frances streets. Evening and weekend parking is also available in UW Lot 83 under Fluno Center, entrance on Frances Street, and in UW Lot 7 under Grainger Hall, entrance on Brooks Street between University Avenue and Johnson Street.

The Chazen will provide sign language interpreters for associated programs by three-week advance request to Anne Lambert, Curator of Education, weekdays, (608) 263-4421 (voice).