Local gallery exhibits feature painting of vet

For nearly a week, an extraordinary portrait was on exhibit at the front of Nancy Gray's Fourth Street Gallery in Lampasas.

Painted by Kaziah Hancock, the face of Victor M. Langarica, a U.S. Army corporal, was on display. Langarica was killed in the war in Iraq.

The portrait is one of a group by Hancock in her "Hero Series" and part of "Project Compassion," where Ms. Hancock paints a portrait of a fallen soldier at no charge, and presents it to the soldier's immediate family. It is Ms. Hancock's way of thanking American military and women for their service to the country and for their ultimate sacrifice.

Selected portraits of fallen soldiers are on display in cities across Texas. In addition to the one in Lampasas, another is on exhibit at Winberg Gallery in Georgetown.

Charles St. George, host of the Big Bandstand on KNCT, masterminded the Texas exhibition. "This project brings closure to the families and loved ones of fallen Iraq heroes," said St. George.

Portraits will travel to the art department at Central Texas College and to A Work of Art Gallery in Temple.

Project Compassion is a non-profit organization. Donations may be sent to Project Compassion Soldier Fund, P.O. Box 153, Manti, Utah 84642. For donations of $50 or more, the artist will send donors two 11x14-inch signed prints, one each of her paintings, "HomeMaid Baker" and "Dirt Farmer."

For more information on the project and the artist, visit www.heropaintings. com.