A large canvas drawing honoring veterans, completed as a senior art project by Clair Gordon, was unveiled Thursday night at the annual SCHS art school and band concert.
Art teacher Vanessa Randolph says XPO had approached her in January about having students complete a drawing honoring veterans that would be hung at the XPO terminal.
“This is not really the style that my kids like to do, because they like the dark stuff,” Randolph said. “Thankfully, Clair was up for the challenge, and she took it on. This is her senior project; the other two kids, Micah and Stacey, helped get the mural up to speed, because this is kind of a large piece.”
Gordon says she felt honored and glad Randolph picked her for the project.
“It really just focuses on serenity and the six branches of the military, and just humanizing people,” Gordon said. “Making them more than what they served.”
The drawing has the busts of a member of each of the six military services on a grass field with a blue sky and bright sun.
XPO Terminal Manager Josh Dunahee says the mural will honor the 18 veteran drivers based in Salem and the hundreds of other drivers who come through the facility.
“Our local Better Together committee wanted to do something a little different with our veterans wall out at XPO,” Dunahee said. “We’ve created a hall of fame with our 3-million mile, 2-million mile, and 1-million mile dedications in our banners for our safety miles. We found a placement for where this veteran’s mural would be going. We consider it a privilege and an honor for the Salem High School art class to create this mural.”
The details of developing the largest canvas that would fit in the doors of the high school were coordinated by Derek McWhorter. The two art students who assisted Gordon were Micah McCormick and Stacey Harold.
After the unveiling, Dunahee thanked Gordon for leading the project and doing amazing work. He also commended John and Vanessa Randolph for leading the music and art program. XPO worked with Joe’s Pizza to have pizza, breadsticks, and soda for all 70 of the students involved in the program today.
Dunahee says the project also received corporate support, with several in leadership of the company traveling to Salem for the unveiling.
SCHS Choir performs at Fine Arts Night. Photo by Sarah Morris.
SCHS Band performs at Fine Arts Night. Photo by Sarah Morris.
