In celebration of American Red Cross month in March, the North Carolina Symphony is teaming up with the Red Cross to present “Art from the Heart,” – a display of therapeutic artwork from Wounded Warrior Battalion Marines and world-renowned artist Craig Bone.
“Art from the Heart” will be on display during the North Carolina Symphony’s March 4 concerts at noon and 8 p.m. at Meymandi Concert Hall. The display is located in the West Pavilion of Meymandi Concert Hall, opening one hour prior to concert time for both concerts and remaining open during intermission of the evening performance.
“It is our way to show support for military families and thank them for their service to our nation,” said Sandi Macdonald, President and CEO of the North Carolina Symphony. “What better time than the American Red Cross month of March to welcome members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East to our home in Raleigh.”
The art therapy program is based out of Camp Lejeune in partnership with the USMC Wounded Warriors Battalion East under the Command of Lt. Col. John K. Kelley. To kick off the evening performance, there will be a presentation of artwork by Craig Bone, featuring members of the North Carolina Symphony and Music Director Grant Llewellyn, to honor noted physician and philanthropist, Dr. Assad Meymandi.
Artist Craig Bone first teamed up with the American Red Cross in 2015 to spearhead the “Art from the Heart” program. Bone and art therapist Joan Farkas collaborated and created art as a form of therapy to facilitate the healing process. The Wounded Warrior Battalion-East focuses on taking care of wounded, ill and injured Marines and their families as they proceed through their recovery.
“For more than 100 years, the Red Cross has served daily our active duty military and their families. We do so in the midst of their personal family emergencies and in other unique programs. We are pleased to showcase this special art therapy program and the talents of these Marines as we bring together visual and performing artists in partnership with our state’s symphony,” said Barry Porter, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Eastern North Carolina Region.
Lead by Maestro William Henry Curry, the orchestra will perform a work by Curry, “Eulogy for a Dream,” Curry’s orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s Military March, and the Fifth Symphony by Tchaikovsky.
Tickets to the performances are available by calling 919-730-2750, by visiting ncsymphony.org, or at the door one hour prior to concert start time. Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., in Raleigh.