Combat Art Gallery
Current ExhibitWar Dogs: Never Above You, Never Below You, Always Beside You
Dogs have assisted Marines in battle officially since World War II and continue to enhance warfighting techniques on today’s battlefronts. In May 2019, the Museum will open a new exhibition that explores the loyalty, bravery, and sacrifices made by the warfighters’ “best friend.”
This exhibition combines sculptures by artist James Mellick with combat art from the collections of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Navy, along with artifacts related to Marine Corps working dogs. Mellick’s wood-carved dogs are symbolic of the sacrifices made by canine and human warriors alike. The 28 works of combat art by 21 artists capture military dogs at work around the globe, from the jungles of the Pacific during WWII through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Artifacts that tell specific stories of Marine Corps dogs and handlers round out this tribute to war dogs. The Museum thanks the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for their support of this exhibition, which will be in place through September 2019. |
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The Marine Corps Combat Art Program
“Go to war, do art.”
Brigadier General Robert Denig, 1942
The Museum’s Marine Corps Combat Art Gallery opened July 2017. The gallery features changing exhibitions of the Museum’s combat art collection or related collections on loan from others.
The Marine Corps Combat Art Program traces its origins to 1942. Its mission: Keep Americans informed about what “their Marines” are doing at home and overseas. Managed today by the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the collection has grown to include more than 9,000 works of art created by 350 artists.
Honor, courage, and commitment are the basic principles embraced by all Marines. Along with a dose of gritty realism, those principles are reflected in the combat art collection. Brigadier General Denig’s simple guidance—“Go to war, do art.”—still applies today. Talented active duty Marines, Reservists, and civilian artists document Marine Corps life on the battlefront and while training for battle, during humanitarian missions, and on the home front. The collection’s strength rests on the authentic and unvarnished focus these works have on the human condition under the most trying of circumstances.
“Go to war, do art.”
Brigadier General Robert Denig, 1942
The Museum’s Marine Corps Combat Art Gallery opened July 2017. The gallery features changing exhibitions of the Museum’s combat art collection or related collections on loan from others.
The Marine Corps Combat Art Program traces its origins to 1942. Its mission: Keep Americans informed about what “their Marines” are doing at home and overseas. Managed today by the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the collection has grown to include more than 9,000 works of art created by 350 artists.
Honor, courage, and commitment are the basic principles embraced by all Marines. Along with a dose of gritty realism, those principles are reflected in the combat art collection. Brigadier General Denig’s simple guidance—“Go to war, do art.”—still applies today. Talented active duty Marines, Reservists, and civilian artists document Marine Corps life on the battlefront and while training for battle, during humanitarian missions, and on the home front. The collection’s strength rests on the authentic and unvarnished focus these works have on the human condition under the most trying of circumstances.
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Artist Studio
In addition to the Combat Art Gallery, the Museum opened an art studio in 2017. Located behind the art gallery, the studio provides space for combat artists to practice their skills and to create art. Visit our Artist Studio at the Museum and see combat artists in action on the 2nd Saturday of every month!
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Museum Deputy Director Charlie Grow painting in the Museum's Artist Studio
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Admission and parking are FREE. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, except Christmas Day.
National Museum of the Marine Corps
18900 Jefferson Davis Highway Triangle, VA 22172 Toll Free: 1.877.653.1775
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