By Elizabeth Mercer
Louisiana Tech art students are helping advance Chennault Aviation and Military Museum of Ouachita Parish by adding a little color to the museum’s upcoming events.
The Louisiana Tech art students are currently spending time over in Ouachita Parish helping design a mural. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a mural class from the university has been working on painting a mural on the outer wall of the building.
The mural depicts history displayed throughout the museum and is set to be completed within a few weeks. It can be seen from the road by anyone passing by and displays the heartbeat behind the museum.
Kelsey Cupit visits the museum regularly and is captivated by its history.
“My curiosity is what drew me in, but the museum’s history and heartbeat behind it all are what keep me coming back,” Cupit said.
Formerly an administrative building in the Selman Field U.S. Airforce base during World War II, the building has stood for more than 80 years. It is the last remaining building from the base.
With her main goal being to remember veterans and assure them that they won’t be forgotten, museum Curator, Nell Calloway is implementing efforts at the museum to achieve this goal. Veteran PTSD clinics offered twice a month are one of many veteran outreach programs provided through the museum.
“Every day is Veteran’s Day around here,” Calloway said.
The museum is named after General Chennault, American military aviator known for leading the “Flying Tigers” and Chinese Air Force in World War II.
In regard to upcoming events, the museum has quite a few. The annual Memorial Day run is coming up Memorial Day weekend.
The Red White & Blue Airshow is set to take place on Saturday, June 18. Tickets are available at redwhiteandblueairshow.com.
Stay up to date on all upcoming events for the museum at chennaultmuseum.org.
