Through the Voices of the Wilderness artist residency program, Andrea Nelson was selected by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge to spend time on the westernmost Aleutian Island of Attu and reflect on the historic landscape artistically. The goal for AMNWR was to broaden the 75th Anniversary commemoration of the World War II Battle of Attu with artistic expression. The eleven works and narrative created by Andrea, in addition to the collaborative works by photographer Irene Owlsley and writer Nancy Lord, created a unique exhibit; one of many special events across Anchorage in May of 2018 honoring all who were affected by the only WWII land battle fought on US soil. Perspectives were shared by surviving US Veterans who fought on Attu, decedents of soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army who fought and died on Attu, and Unangax decedents of the 45 Attuan villagers taken as Prisoners of War in Japan. The event also honored the Unangax from other parts of the Aleutians who were force relocated by the US government to dilapidated facilities in Southeast Alaska for the duration of the war, where many perished. These varied peoples coming together in the name of peace and reconciliation was a historic event. After Anchorage the exhibit is traveling for two years in other Alaskan communities, including Homer, Haines and Unalaska.
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