June 27th, 2012 
Bear witness to the lives of U.S. military service men through the multi-media exhibition created by The Homecoming Project. Debuting in Austin in July 2012, the exhibition tells the stories of military service members through photographs taken by some of the world’s most renowned photojournalists. The exhibition also includes the creative works of military members. Together, the professional works of photojournalists and the creative works of our service men portray the realities of soldier life.
Photo Credit: The Homecoming Project
The Homecoming Project was inspired by the magnitude of obstacles facing U.S. military service members returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Photojournalist Erin Trieb founded the project in 2011. After her work with U.S. troops in Afghanistan and documenting the military community for several years, she became aware of the battle that military members still fight after they return home. Thirty percent of veterans and active service members are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while an additional 25 percent are diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In 2009 and 2010, the U.S. military lost more active duty service members to suicide than it did to combat related deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
Photo Credit: The Homecoming Project/Erin Trieb
The Homecoming Project’s mission is to use the arts to raise awareness and educate the public of veteran issues related to war/combat trauma. The project strives to stimulate dialog using imagery to address these issues. Furthermore, the project honors the U.S. service military members by connecting individuals seeking assistance with resources of aid. Funds raised through The Homecoming Project will support veteran service organizations. Local charitable partners are the Samaritan Center’s Hope for Heroes, Serve Who Serve and Voices of a Grateful Nation.
The exhibition will launch to tens of thousands of Central Texans on July 4, 2012 at the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s annual July 4th Concert & Fireworks event at Auditorium Shores at The Long Center. The last 10 minutes of the orchestra’s performance will culminate in an audio visual display and multi-media presentation depicting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Homecoming Project will continue its awareness campaign in November 2012 by hosting an outdoor installation exhibition and gallery exhibition. “Bedrooms of The Fallen” is a series of enlarged photographs by artist/photographer Ashley Gilbertson depicting the bedrooms of soldiers killed in action in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This outdoor installation will be open to the public in Butler Park throughout the month of November. Nearby Dougherty Arts Centerwill house a gallery exhibition of images taken by professional photojournalists depicting U.S. veterans and service members in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A reception will be held for both exhibitions in November at the Dougherty Arts Center.
To learn more about The Homecoming Project and find out how you can get involved, please visit the organization’s website.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at 8:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Auditorium Shores at The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Dr.
Austin, TX 78704
TICKETS: Free
PARKING: For parking, road closure and transportation information, please visit the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s website.
