Guest Blogger GAIL SACHSON owns ASK ME ABOUT ART, an education service and is Vice-Chair of the Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission and a member of the Public Art Committee.

With generous donations from the Fisher House Foundation of New York and several local donors, including T Boone Pickens, the Dallas Fisher House was dedicated on Oct. 23 as a FREE facility, providing a warm home in which Veterans can rehabilitate with their families.

Located at the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center in South Dallas, the 21 bedroom house is one of 42 throughout the world. The Houses serve those who live more than 50 miles away and are being treated as inpatients or outpatients in a hospital setting. In all probability, these military men and women will not have the opportunity or health to see much of Dallas, so appreciation is given to the art on the walls, which offers a tour and a taste of Dallas, without even having to leave the facility.

The bedrooms, hallways, kitchen and community rooms are filled with the black and white photographs of Plano photographer Daniel Bowman Ashe. Because Ashe wanted his art to aid in the rehabilitation process, he searched for scenes around Dallas which would provide STRENGTH, COMPASSION and yes … ESCAPE.

He chose subject matter which has local and/or historical meaning. Thus, on one wall, hangs a Miro spotted at The Nasher, several Pegasus themes abound, the Majestic Theater and a multitude of Fair Park sculptures. For those familiar with our local artistic and cultural attractions, it can be a delight to spot a detail of a sculpture and know where it is, for others, labels identifying and locating would be helpful … perhaps to help plan for the next more ambulatory visit to Dallas. Ashe’s idea is good. If the Veterans can’t get to the art, let’s bring the art to them.