In 2015, the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro presented an original exhibit of 83 paintings by American serviceman Charles J. Miller, a portion of which that is now on display through June 17. A native of Nashua, NH, Miller fought in the Pacific during World War II and captured his deployment in more than 700 paintings, each full of color and reflective of skilled draftsmanship.
“He drew on whatever he had available from large sheets of paper to the insides of cigarette cartons with children’s watercolor sets,” said Mike Culver, executive director. “It is an incredible collection.”
The Wright Museum has prepared a traveling exhibit from this extraordinary collection, which is now set to travel nationwide for the first time. The traveling show features 120 pieces of artwork that take up 400 feet of running wall space. Interpretive text panels, which include a couple of large full color panels and timeline, labels for each of the artworks, and several short narrative pieces that help create context, are part of the show
According to Culver, many people were involved in helping produce the show, as he expressed gratitude to MIller’s niece and her husband, Nancy and Robert Dennis, whose initial care made the show possible. Nancy and Bob Dennis, Miller’s nephew and wife, Jamie and Joni Clemons, The Art Place and the family of Cpt. Donald M. Jones, Navy AF 1942-45, provided additional support.
“I hope people come visit us to see this incredible collection,” said Culver. “We are also very hopeful to see the show travel to places throughout the nation…Each piece provides a vivid snapshot that is as unique as it is moving.”
The rental fee is $5,000 for a 3-month booking while 6-month bookings are available at a discount of $7,000. In addition to interpretive panels, the show includes an education and marketing kit to guide host organizations.
The Wright Museum of World War II is located in Wolfeboro, NH and open daily to the public for the 2018 season from May 1 through October 31. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. The Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution that focuses on the American home front and war front during World War II.
