Three Fallbrook-cast Veterans Art Project sculptures shown at county fair

The Veterans Art Project display at the San Diego County Fair consisted of three sculptures cast in Fallbrook.

Two of the untitled pieces were bronze sculptures created in 2014 by Col. Joe Snyder and Jessica Nguyen; one of those features hands being held and the other is a hand displaying the peace symbol on top of an outstretched hand. The third artwork was a bronze sculpture bust created by Kevin Larsen in 2014 and featuring a face adorned with leaves. The three pieces were displayed at the fair's Student Showcase.

"They very generously gave us exhibition space," said Veterans Art Project director Steve Dilley.

Student projects made in San Diego County schools, community colleges, Regional Occupational Program classes, or adult education programs may be displayed at the Student Showcase. Neil Bruington is the coordinator of the Student Showcase.

"It's always a pleasure to work with Neil at the fair," Dilley said.

All three of the works displayed at the county fair were cast at the Fallbrook Sculpture Academy, which is involved in a partnership with the Veterans Art Project. The Veterans Art Project offers privately-funded art activity free of charge to veterans, active-duty military members, and spouses. "I felt a responsibility of utilizing art as a means of helping people," Dilley said. "We continue to advocate the usefulness of art, art making, art creation as a means of normalcy to help our veterans reintegrate."

Both of Dilley's parents were Korean War veterans. "Service has always been something in my family," he said.

Snyder is a retired Marine helicopter pilot who participated in more than 1,200 combat missions during the Vietnam War. Nguyen, who is Snyder's partner, was born in Vietnam and is the daughter of a Vietnamese soldier. Larsen served in the Army during the Gulf War.

Classes are taught at the Fallbrook Art Center, at Saddleback College, and at Grossmont College. "I'm looking to find a third place in San Diego," Dilley said.

The Veterans Art Project first held a class at Grossmont College in fall 2009. Although the Veterans Art Project is a non-profit organization, Dilley works full-time as an art teacher including teaching a class at Saddleback College.

The Veterans Art Project also facilitates Veterans Administration transport of veterans participating in San Diego-based sculpture classes to Fallbrook for the bronze casting activity. "We're really excited about that happening," Dilley said.