Spirit box exhibit pays tribute to fallen service members

November 04, 2011

A powerful and moving memorial to the 106 Wisconsin military men and women who died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq is on display at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

"The Rise of the Fallen" is showcased in the Fiskum Art Gallery in the James R. Connor University Center. The exhibit will last through Monday, Nov. 14, and includes a reception at noon Friday, Nov. 11, as part of Veterans Week activities on campus.

The exhibit displays an image of each fallen service member within a frosted translucent box about 3 inches deep. The boxes are called spirit boxes, intended to represent the essence of each individual.

The spirit box display was created by Andre Ferrella, a lecturer in the Art Department at UW-Whitewater.

"I think it's important to pause and recognize these individuals who served," said Elizabeth Watson, director of the Center for Students with Disabilities at UW-Whitewater. "When you can stand and see these faces, it's very personal and intimate."

The gallery is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday.

For more information on Ferrella and his work, visit  theriseofthefallen.org.