Portrait of a Soldier Exhibit Closes

The traveling “Portrait of a Soldier” art installation commemorates the sacrifice of Illinois military members who gave their lives in service to their country.

The idea for the art project was born in 2004, when Cameron Schilling, a Mattoon, Illinois artist, drew a portrait of a fellow Mattoon native, Army Specialist Charles Neeley, who died in Iraq, and presented it to his parents.

Schilling has since drawn a portrait of every Illinois service member killed in action on or after 9/11. Schilling provides the original artwork to the families of the fallen. A copy of each piece of art is then added to the Portrait of a Soldier display.

The exhibit honors more than 300 members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines, and will be on display at the 95th Street Library from February 20 until March 6.