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Portrait of a Soldier 

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What Is It?

The Portrait of a Soldier exhibit is a traveling display of hand-sketched portraits of fallen servicemembers from Illinois who have been killed since September 11, 2001 in the Global War on Terror. Artist Cameron Schilling, of Mattoon, drew the first portrait in August 2004, after Army SPC Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, was killed in Iraq. Schilling gave the sketch to SPC Neeley's parents to convey his sympathy for their loss. In October 2005, while a student at Eastern Illinois University, Schilling decided to draw a portrait of every Illinois servicemember who has fallen during the Global War on Terror.

The portraits are copies of the original, which has been given to the fallen soldiers next of kin, and the exhibit travels throughout the state of Illinois. On many occasions, Governor Pat Quinn holds a press conference on the opening day and invites families of the fallen soldiers who live in the area to attend.

Request the Portraits

To request the Portrait of a Soldier Exhibit for an event or to host the exhibit at your organization or place of business, click here. 

Where Will It Be?

CityVenueOpening DateClosing Date
SpringfieldAbraham Lincoln Presidential MuseumFriday, May 17, 2013Sunday, July 07, 2013
O'Hare OasisIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 17, 2013Sunday, June 23, 2013
Chicago SouthlandIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 24, 2013Sunday, June 30, 2013
Lake ForestIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, July 01, 2013Sunday, July 07, 2013
CartervilleCrab Orchard Golf CourseSunday, July 07, 2013Sunday, July 07, 2013

Where Has It Been?

CityVenueOpening Date
O'Hare OasisIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 17, 2013
DeKalbIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 10, 2013
BelvidereIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 03, 2013
Des PlainesIllinois Tollway OasisSaturday, May 25, 2013
ChicagoDaley Center East LobbySaturday, May 18, 2013
SpringfieldAbraham Lincoln Presidential MuseumFriday, May 17, 2013
ChicagoNavy Pier Family PavilionWednesday, November 07, 2012
BurbankPrairie Trails LibraryWednesday, November 07, 2012
PittsfieldPittsfield Public High SchoolWednesday, November 07, 2012
CentraliaKaskaskia College, Centralia CampusMonday, September 10, 2012
Tinley Park, American Legion Post 615CPL Kevin Clarke Memorial RideSunday, September 09, 2012
TroyTroy Tri Township Park, SrA Bradley Smith Memorial Silver Star CeremonySaturday, September 08, 2012
Geneva, ILKane County Minor League Baseball Stadium, Military Appreciation NightFriday, July 06, 2012
Lake ForestIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, July 02, 2012
BelvidereIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 25, 2012
DeKalbIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 18, 2012
Des PlainesIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 11, 2012
South HollandIllinois Tollway OasisMonday, June 04, 2012
HinsdaleIllinois Tollway OasisFriday, May 25, 2012
ChicagoDaley Center East LobbyFriday, May 25, 2012
Springfield, ILState CapitalFriday, May 25, 2012
ChicagoAmerican Airlines O'Hare International AirportWednesday, May 23, 2012
JacksonvilleLincoln Land Community CollegeSaturday, May 19, 2012
ChicagoLoyola University's Water Tower CampusFriday, November 11, 2011
MolineMoline Public LibraryThursday, November 10, 2011
ChicagoJames R Thompson CenterMonday, November 07, 2011
EdwardsvilleSouthern Illinois University - Edwardsville Student CenterFriday, September 09, 2011
ChicagoDePaul University Loop CampusThursday, September 08, 2011
JolietJoliet Junior College ConcourseTuesday, September 06, 2011
ChicagoDaley PlazaThursday, May 26, 2011
O'Hare AirportAmerican AirlinesThursday, May 26, 2011
SpringfieldAbraham Lincoln Presidential LibraryThursday, May 26, 2011
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterSunday, October 10, 2010
OttawaOttawa Township High SchoolSaturday, October 09, 2010
FreeportPublic LibraryFriday, September 24, 2010
ChicagoNavy PierSaturday, September 11, 2010
PeoriaPublic Library (Lakeview Branch)Saturday, September 11, 2010
Granite CitySix Mile Regional Library District Main LibrarySaturday, September 11, 2010
Urbana-ChampaignMemorial Stadium at the University of IllinoisSaturday, September 11, 2010
DuQuoinState FairgroundsSunday, August 29, 2010
SpringfieldState FairgroundsSunday, August 15, 2010
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterFriday, July 02, 2010
SpringfieldOld State CapitolSaturday, May 29, 2010
HarrisburgHarrisburg District LibrarySaturday, May 29, 2010
ChicagoRichard J. Daley CenterThursday, May 27, 2010
CarmiCarmi Public LibrarySaturday, May 22, 2010
Mt VernonC. E. Brehm Memorial Public LibrarySaturday, May 22, 2010
KewaneeAmerican Legion Post #31Thursday, November 12, 2009
RockfordVeterans Memorial HallSunday, November 08, 2009
ChampaignParkland CollegeSaturday, October 31, 2009
SpartaSparta VFW HallTuesday, October 27, 2009
Mount CarmelWabash Valley CollegeSaturday, October 24, 2009
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterFriday, September 11, 2009
DuQuoinState FairgroundsSaturday, August 29, 2009
SpringfieldState FairgroundsFriday, August 14, 2009
RochelleMunicipal AirportSaturday, June 20, 2009
SpringfieldState CapitolTuesday, May 26, 2009
ChicagoNavy PierFriday, May 22, 2009
PontiacMuseum Complex, 110 W Howard StTuesday, December 30, 2008
AuroraAurora Public Library-Eola Rd. BranchFriday, November 07, 2008
Godfrey/AltonLewis and Clark Community CollegeWednesday, October 15, 2008
MarionMarion Cultural CenterTuesday, October 07, 2008
EffinghamEffingham County Government CenterFriday, September 26, 2008
VandaliaKaskaskia CollegeWednesday, September 17, 2008
BellevilleSouthwestern IL CollegeTuesday, September 09, 2008
KankakeeKankakee Community CollegeThursday, August 21, 2008
RoselleRoselle Public LibraryFriday, August 01, 2008
Des PlainesDes Plaines Public LibraryFriday, July 11, 2008
GalesburgAmerican LegionThursday, July 03, 2008
CantonSpoon River CollegeWednesday, June 18, 2008
SpringfieldState Capitol RotundaThursday, May 29, 2008
ChicagoNavy PierSaturday, May 24, 2008
Oak ParkOak Park Public LibraryTuesday, May 13, 2008
JacksonvilleJacksonvilleMonday, May 05, 2008
Tinley ParkAndrew High SchoolSunday, April 27, 2008
TaylorvilleChristian County CourthouseFriday, April 18, 2008
SchaumburgSchaumburg Public LibraryFriday, March 28, 2008
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterWednesday, March 19, 2008
LitchfieldCity HallFriday, March 07, 2008
PekinCity HallMonday, February 18, 2008
WaukeganGenesse TheatreWednesday, January 30, 2008
DanvilleVermillion County War MueseumThursday, November 15, 2007
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterFriday, November 09, 2007
AuroraParamount Arts CenterFriday, November 02, 2007
Crystal LakeMcHenry County CollegeFriday, October 26, 2007
BurbankPrarie Trails Public LibraryThursday, October 18, 2007
LincolnLogan County CourthouseThursday, October 11, 2007
Glen EllynStudent Resource Center - College of DuPageFriday, October 05, 2007
DuQuoinState FairSaturday, August 25, 2007
CiceroMorton CollegeFriday, August 03, 2007
JolietJoliet Area Historical MueseumWednesday, June 20, 2007
ChicagoDaley Plaza - East PlazaTuesday, May 22, 2007
DeKalbHolems Student Center - NIUMonday, April 30, 2007
MacombDonald Spencer Student Rec. Center - WIUWednesday, April 18, 2007
CarbondaleStudent Center - SIUCTuesday, April 10, 2007
NormalBone Student Center - ISUTuesday, March 27, 2007
DecaturMilikin UniversityWednesday, November 15, 2006
NapervilleCity HallFriday, November 03, 2006
CharlestonEastern Illinois UniversityMonday, October 30, 2006
ParisAmerican LegionMonday, October 23, 2006
PeoriaWTVP Studio GalleryTuesday, October 17, 2006
MolineBlackhawk College - Building One - LLThursday, October 12, 2006
QuincyQuincy University - Francis Hall Main FlrThursday, September 28, 2006
RockfordMemorial HallTuesday, September 19, 2006
UrbanaIllini Union Art Gallery - U of IThursday, September 07, 2006
DuQuoinState FairSaturday, August 26, 2006
EdwardsvilleLovejoy Library Main Level - SIUEThursday, August 17, 2006
SpringfieldOld State CapitolFriday, June 30, 2006
ChicagoJames R. Thompson CenterThursday, May 25, 2006
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