Values humans accord to their lives destroyed in wartime

While destruction of heritage sites during wartime can be attributed to collateral damage, it can also be damage intentionally caused to demoralize and insult the values and religious and cultural symbols of others.

We have decades of contemporary warfare memories where continued bombings have destroyed large swaths of ancient and contemporary historical sites. Examples coming to mind are the ancient city of Aleppo in Syria, the city of Dresden in World War II and now real-time reporting of heritage sites in Ukraine, including the Museum of Local History in the town of Ivankiv, set on fire by invading forces and burned to the ground, including 25 works by famous Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko; the stained-glass windows and decorative features of the Russian Orthodox Assumption Cathedral in Kharkiv reportedly destroyed; and a missile attack affecting the Babyn Yat Holocaust memorial in Kyiv. The Holocaust memorial site marks among the largest mass shootings of Jewish people during World War II.

Today’s images remind those of us in a generation who had family members who served during World War II; friends made here who survived the liberated death camps and proudly displayed tattooed forearms; of lives lost, civilization destroyed and cultural heritage erased.

When we return home from international travel, we identify home with artistic and architectural structures, such as the Golden Gate Bridge on the West Coast and the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast.

As we travel to our Texas towns, we identify with Palo Duro Canyon and Cadillac Ranch.

Here in our hometown, we identify with St. Peter’s Church, the old and the new; and, of course, Wild Bill Hickok who welcomes visitors to the gazebo, The Dienger and sweet Hauptstrasse.

And in entering our homes, we perhaps take for granted years of acquired treasures. For me, the southwestern rug purchased years ago at the El Paso Rug Market, the Teter charcoals purchased at the Museum of Western Art, the blue glass bowl and mask from Inferno in New Orleans and, yes, the Delft candlestick that holds a found cicada, a Monarch butterfly and a kissing beetle.

Unfortunately, some humans’ penchants for destroying universal cultural successes for personal or national aggrandizement are not a post-modern phenomenon, but rather a sad footnote to 6,000 years of civilization’s achievements. The destruction of the Library at Alexandria always comes to mind when reminded of the dark weaknesses of mankind.

Try, if you will, to imagine a painting, a sculpture, music no longer performed; a church, a synagogue or memorial … lives not lived, the heart and soul of a nation that no longer remains for those who might possibly return. We pray for Ukraine.

HCCArts job openings

Part-time fine arts instructors needed to teach six-week daytime, adult classes in the following: Introduction to Drawing; Introduction to Watercolor, Introduction to Oil, Introduction to Acrylics and Introduction to Pastel painting. Send inquiries with cover letter and brief summary of education and experience to [email protected].

Like us on Facebook! Visit our website often at www.hccarts.org. Send inquiries to [email protected].

Upcoming Events

• Studio Comfort Texas Art Gallery: Beginning March 9, Studio Comfort Texas Gallery, 716 High St., presents a solo exhibition of paintings by Polly Jones titled “Daydreams in Bright Hours” with an opening reception on Saturday, March 12, from 2-6 p.m. The exhibit features vibrant mixed media paintings – explorations into the possibility of transcendence in the midst of ordinary life. Into the colorful, textural still life and landscape paintings, Jones layers vintage paper taken from books, map fragments, ledger paper, hymns, old mortgage fee charts, envelope liners, poetry, shorthand manuals and Little Golden Book Encyclopedia for children.

Polly Jones grew up in the flatlands and big sky country of Littlefield and Plainview, Texas, and received her BFA in painting from Abilene Christian University. Her work is collected across the USA and internationally. She lives and works in Abilene, Texas, with her husband.

• Studio Comfort, ARTSPACE, spring break camps, ages 9-plus. March 15, (1 day), 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Poetry, instructor Judith Youngers, experienced poet and educator. Get ready for having fun with words. $45 per person. March 16-18, (3 days), 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Sculpture, instructor Deborah Shaw. Oh, what you can do with cardboard, wire and found objects. $150 per person.

For detailed information regarding these and other workshops, refer to www.studiocomforttexas.com, email [email protected] or phone 830-995-3750. Address is 713 High St., Comfort.

• Cat Dog Ceramics, Twisted Fast Fire Raku workshop, March 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., limited registration, $135 per person includes instruction, materials and pottery fee. Call or text for registration, 210-264-1653 by March 21. For information, email catdogceramics@ gmail.com. • Hill Country Arts Foundation, Visual Arts Center, Form

• Hill Country Arts Foundation, Visual Arts Center, Form & Function Pottery Show & Sale through March 18. Refer to www.HCAF.com or call 830-367-5121 for information. 120 Point Theatre Road, Ingram.

• HCCArts Art AfterHours, 2022, Series 2

Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. in the comfort of The Classroom at the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne. Cost is $35. Discounts with membership. Class descriptions and limited registration at www.hccarts.org.

March 15: Dyeing in a Day. Produce fabric colors in your unique palette. Use professional fiber reactive dyes on fabric and yarn. We explore color combinations and patterns in our exploration of dyeing. Learn the chemistry of producing pastels to vibrant colors.

March 22: Hammered Cuff.

March 29: Color Play.

April 5: Fixable Mixed Media.