Maxwell gives local arts group peek at Air Force art collection Published May 14, 2009 By Joy Ovington Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- At the invitation of Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck, the Montgomery Area Business Committee for the Arts, or MABCA, held a quarterly meeting at the Maxwell Officers' Club on May 6 to view the installation's art collection. Among those in attendance at the luncheon were 42nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Kris D. Beasley; Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange; Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis; Tallassee Mayor George McCain; Col. (ret.) Albert A. Allenback, district director for Alabama U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright; Air University Historian George Cully and 30 members of the MABCA Board of Directors. General Peck said, "This was a great opportunity to make local community civic and business leaders aware of the Air Force Art Program. Here at Maxwell-Gunter we have the second-largest collection of Air Force art, with over 500 pieces proudly displayed throughout our facilities. It was a privilege to be able to share this interesting and diverse collection of artwork, and to describe the art collection's role in promoting our proud Air Force heritage." The featured speaker was Russell Kirk, director of the Air Force Art Program, who works in the Secretary of the Air Force administrative assistant's office at the Pentagon. He said the program was established in 1950 and has covered every major operation in which the service has been involved. "The Air Force Art Program is one of the best aviation art collections in the world with more than 10,000 pieces worldwide," said Mr. Kirk. "This documentation will help tell the Air Force's story for many years in the future. Art has been around a long, long time and will continue to be a huge part of the way we capture our mission and tell the Air Force's story." Ashley Ledbetter, MABCA's executive director, said that their organization's mission is focused on forming and maintaining an alliance between the area's arts organizations and businesses of all sizes. "We work to strengthen and enrich the community by growing appreciation, participation, and support of the arts," she said. Ms. Ledbetter expressed excitement over the possibility that MABCA and Maxwell-Gunter might now partner in more River Region events and celebrations where the Air Force art could be displayed. She said, "We look forward to helping get the artwork out and viewed by as many people as possible. It was such a treat for MABCA to have had the exclusive opportunity to see and learn about selected pieces of the collection." She gave credit to Mr. Allenback for the meeting's focus on the Air Force art collection. Mr. Allenback serves as the ex officio military representative for the MABCA Board of Directors and was the 42nd Air Base Wing Commander at Maxwell-Gunter from 1998 to 2001. He said that the last time pieces from Maxwell's art collection were shown was at the annual MABCA luncheon in November 2001. "Having MABCA come out last week to view the art first-hand was a great way to show the civilian community another window into the Air Force," Mr. Allenback said. The Air Force Art Program's website is http://www.afapo.hq.af.mil/Presentation/main/Index.cfm.