Letter of Introduction
The SMILE LINES PROJECT is an exhibition of current U.S. service personnel and vetarans who volunteered to share their unique skill sets of survival.
The high rate of suicide, up to twenty-two per day (8,030 per year) in our Armed Forces is a societal issue. This issue is bigger though as that is a conservative estimate. The twenty-two suicides per day is an accounting of only 21 of our 50 states.
In addition, as documented in a recent Department of Defense study, an additional twenty-five current U.S. service personnel and vetrans attempt suicide per day.
The SMILE LINES PROJECT is a living art exhibit created in response to this high rate of military suicide. It is a platform to celebrate the resiliency of the human spirit, the healing power of a mentor, and the fierceness in a smile.
Thank you,
Artist, Suzanne Gallagher
Smile Lines Project
To contribute time or energy to the project please contact Suzanne Gallagher:
Yeganeh Torbati, Reuters, Weds., 3 Aug 2016. "Suicide Rate of U.S. Veterans Rose One Third Since 2001: Study."
Patricia Kime, Military Times, "VA: Veterans Suicide Must Be a Top Priority."
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "VA Suicide Prevention Program: Facts About Veteran Suicide: July 2016."
January - Kimberly Colleen Rhyan - #takeheART Project (1st Floor)
and the Thurgood Marshall Exhibit Through February 29, 2016 (2nd Floor) (See linked guide)
Mid-January through February - Vivian Pitman: Black History Month 2016
March - Columbus State's Art Department Faculty Exhibit: Judy Beckman, Ian Cross, Stacy Leeman, & Jon Wahling
April - Rocco Di Pietro (Humanities Dept.) and Romulo Vazquez
May - June - William C. Hemming
July - Paul D. Wilbur
August - Suzanne Gallagher -"Smile Lines Project"
September - Cecilia Román
October - Jerrilyn Heine (Disability Services Interpreter)
November - Gene Strickland (Digital Photography, Assoc. Professor)
December - Wilfred Calvo-Bono
