The Dayton Art Institute's latest exhibition tells the story of sacrifice and duty on the homefront through its 70+ period war posters.
DAI Exhibit Remembers A Nation At War
DAI Exhibit honors the Miami Valley’s military and aviation history and remembers a nation at war
America shines in times of trial. One of those times was during the Great World Wars of the early and mid-twentieth century when our brave men and women in uniform headed overseas to join the Allied forces. As war ravaged Europe – twice – we helped at home by planting victory gardens, buying war bonds, collecting supplies for the Red Cross, and rallying women to the workplace in munitions plants and factories.
The exhibit is a collaboration with the United States Air Force Museum and contains artifacts from their collection. A helmet worn by Milton Wright is here. So is the insignia from the plane of WWI Flying Ace Eddie Rickenbacker. There is a photo tribute to local women who staffed the assembly line at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company during World War I and autographed photos of key military figures from both wars.
The exhibit has universal appeal. Veterans and current members of our armed forces will appreciate the nod to their military service. Adults will enjoy sharing stories of family members who lived, or died, during the Great Wars. Teachers will find the exhibit an interactive way to share this period in history with their students and kids will like that some of the images could come straight out of today’s graphic novels, comic books or action movie posters.
Call to Duty: World War Posters and Tears of Stone: World War I Remembered is on display now through October 4, 2015. Admission, which includes the both exhibits and the general collection, is $14 for adults, $11 for seniors 60 and over, $11 for students 18 years and older with ID, and $6 for youth ages 7 to 17. Admission is free for DAI members and children under 6.
DAI is now a Blue Star Museum, which entitles active duty military personnel to free admission to the museum’s general collection and discounted admission of $11 to both exhibitions now through Labor Day. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 am – 5 pm with extended evening hours on Thursdays until 8 pm, Sunday Noon – 5 pm, and closed Mondays and major holidays.
