Veteran’s ‘soldier-themed’ artworks in Town Hall starting July 2
Knox County artist and veteran, Alexander Dumas, stands beside two of his soldier-themed paintings, which are being featured in a special exhibit at Farragut Museum from Monday, July 2, to Jan. 4, 2019. Dumas donated a collection of his paintings, which are now part of the museum’s collection.
The museum, located in Farragut Town Hall, will unveil the exhibit Monday, July 2.
“Visitors also will be able to view artifacts from various branches of the military and numerous wars, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, World War I and World War II, and Desert Storm,” stated a press release from Town of Farragut. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 4, 2019.
“I don’t believe I’m responsible for the paintings,” Dumas said. “The good Lord had a big hand in it. I talked to Him the whole time I was painting them.”
Dumas, a Detroit, Michigan, native started painting at age 27. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1949, when he was a hospital corpsman. After his discharge, he was a nurse at University of Virginia Hospital while he attended the university as a pre-med student. He has lived near Farragut since 1960.
“As a World War II veteran, the images of young men suffering from the wounds of war have stayed with the artist for a lifetime,” the press release stated.
Although he did not see combat, Dumas saw patients return home with their injuries.
“His wartime paintings are based on combat photographs,” the press release further stated.
Dumas also served in the Tennessee State Guard for 16 years and retired a major.
”I was able to get to know the Vietnam War group (of veterans) and understand what they went through,” he said. “My heart bleeds for them.”
“Mr. Dumas had donated a print to us several years ago and then contacted me about donating his entire military collection last year,” said Julia Barham, historic resources coordinator for Farragut Museum. “We accepted them, and they all are now part of the museum.”
“It gives the men an opportunity to say ‘This is where I served.’ It’s an identity thing,” Dumas said.
The collection is comprised of 73 paintings, of which a segment will be showcased.
Other Dumas paintings are on exhibit at Tennessee Theatre, East Tennessee Historical Society and USS Tennessee Battleship Museum and other locations.
Museum admission is free, and it is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer hours include from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sundays: July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16.
For more information about the exhibit or the museum, visit townoffarragut.org/museum or contact Barham at museum@townoffarragut.org or 865-218-3377.
