By Jennifer Theurer

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is currently featuring the “We the People” project by American watercolor artist Mary Whyte.

According to a report from David Oliver, WIBW, Whyte traveled to every state to paint portraits of veterans in their everyday lives.

William Snyder, museum supervisory curator, said the exhibit aligns with the museum’s original mission.

“The Eisenhower’s boyhood home opened after his mother passed away as a museum and General Eisenhower would only agree to a museum if it was about all World War 2 veterans,” he said. “So for us to be able to bring an exhibit here that honors Ike’s legacy and his original wishes for this museum just means so much to us.”

Whyte’s original goal for the project was to show America’s diversity.

“I believe veterans are our truest Americans,” she said.

The collection includes diverse images of veterans in their civilian roles: a farmer in a field, a firefighter, an American astronaut and a cook in a kitchen. From Kansas, the exhibit features Dwain, a welder from Wathena who served six years in the United States Navy.

Whyte’s collection has traveled across the country, including stops at the Army and Marine Corps museums. The project also inspired Whyte to establish the Patriot Art Foundation, a nonprofit that teaches veterans artistic expression. She hosts a watercolor boot camp and veterans can download courses.

Whyte believes celebrating veterans provides an appropriate path forward as the nation enters its next 250 years.

“They are the ones that raised their hands willing to sacrifice their lives for the freedoms that we all enjoy,” she said.

The “We the People” exhibit runs through March 22 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene.