November Exhibitions Remember and Honor Veterans at the Center for the Arts

October 28, 2024

by Bay Arts Alliance

PANAMA CITY, FL – The Center for the Arts begins November with three new exhibits that honor our country’s heroes and welcome the holiday season. The Main Gallery features photography by Roger Reapple. The St. Andrew Bay Quilters’ Guild brings season’s greetings to the Miller Gallery, and Chris Twellman is featured in the Spotlight Gallery. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, November 1 from 5-7pm. The exhibits will be on display through November 30.

Roger Raepple’s exhibition, REMEMBER, features photography of the nation’s most iconic landmarks honoring war veterans. Raepple was born in Seattle in 1946 and is a retired community college administrator. He returned to photography about twenty years ago after a long absence. Living in Tallahassee for the last forty-eight years, his work has been accepted into local, regional and national exhibitions.

“My images reflect all of life’s experiences, every image a self-portrait,” said Raepple. “For the viewer, you, every image is a mirror. You bring your unique experiences, your special history, your loves, and doubts, your grief, your laughter. I cannot expect that what an image means to me will mean the same for you. If an image I present causes you to reflect or smile, or worry or relax, or brings you a moment of bliss or angst, serenity or discomfort, I will be pleased. I hope you are.”

The St. Andrew Bay Quilters’ Guild welcomes the holiday season to the Miller Gallery in their exhibition called Quilted Holidays. This is an exhibit of beautiful quilts and wall hangings depicting fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas scenes. Each piece was created by a member of the Guild, exhibiting a variety of quilting techniques.

As a veteran himself, Chris Twellman, featured in the Spotlight Gallery, loves to show his appreciation for the US military and first responders. This has led him to his first paintings of military scenes as a Memorial Day painting. One notable piece by Twellman is The Unknown Praying Cop. Every active duty and retired Police Officer received a free print from his shop. He did the same for first responders and active-duty military members or Veterans. From then until May 2024, Chris handed out over 2,000 prints of art from his shop, and has donated hundreds of prints and canvases to veteran organizations for raffles or auctions. His “Praying Cop” is displayed now in about 10 police departments across the US.

The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, November 1 from 5-7pm at the Center for the Arts. Visitors can meet the artists in the galleries over light hors d’oeuvres during this free event.

The Center for the Arts is open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Fridays 10am-7pm.