If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa in person, that would not have been possible without a veteran. Please join us Saturday to honor their efforts and memory.
Creston Arts welcomes veterans, family and friends to a free one-hour presentation 10 a.m. Saturday that will shed light on the remarkable story of Iowa veteran, George Stout of Winterset. In this presentation, retired Winterset librarian Nancy Trask will share how Stout’s contribution to the preservation of art during World War II is a tale that deserves recognition and celebration.
In 1944, Stout was appointed to the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Section for the Twelfth Army Group, and he was among the first Monuments Men to arrive at Normandy, France. This army unit - comprised of art experts, museum curators, and historians -- heroically located, recovered, and protected countless works of art that had been at risk or stolen by the Nazis during the chaos of war.
The work of the Monuments Men went far beyond the realm of art. By rescuing and safeguarding these cultural artifacts, they were also preserving the collective memory and history of nations. These courageous servicemen recognized the power of art to unite, inspire, and heal, and they made it their mission to ensure that future generations would have the opportunity to experience and learn from these treasures.
The event begins at 10 a.m. May 27 at Creston Arts Center, 411 W. Adams St. Light refreshments will be served. It is an opportunity to honor the bravery and dedication of the Monuments Men, learn about their unique perspective in this pivotal time in history, and recognize the importance of preserving art, not only as an aesthetic expression but also as a symbol of our collective identity and history.
For more info, visit www.crestonarts.com