Metro employees display art at special exhibit

Saturday, June 10, 2000 | 8:38 a.m.

A small crowd gathered around a buffet table Tuesday at the West Charleston Library to discuss Metro Police's recent accomplishments.

The department wasn't lauded for its countless arrests or fearless standoffs. It was cross-stitchings, oil paintings and ink sketches that drew praise.

More than 100 people attended the opening reception of the LVMPD Art Exhibit, which features the fine art and craftwork of Metro employees.

The collection on the gallery walls includes the works of more than 30 people, including officers, and will be displayed through September.

When thinking of police officers, "the last thing that comes to mind is art," Undersheriff Richard Winget told the crowd at Tuesday's opening. "What we're doing here is telling the rest of the story of Metro employees."

It's the first of its kind for Metro. If the library district approves, the department would be happy to put on an annual show, Deputy Chief Ray Flynn said.

"It shows a more 'people' side of Metro -- a more cultured side. That's why we loved the idea."

It also shows the hidden hobbies of the staff.

"I didn't realize that there was this much talent in Metro," said Dee Ann V. Kraft, a PBX operator for nonemergency calls and who, in her spare time, has made about 40 porcelain dolls. Two -- Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn -- are on display.

Denise Shapiro, the library district's gallery manager, approached Flynn with the idea last fall. After working in the SWAT unit years ago, Flynn said he knew a SWAT member who was a phenomenal artist: Jeff Russo, whose glass works are featured at the show.

"It's a nice way to showcase the people behind the phones and the badges," said Jeannine Talar, Metro's community information coordinator who worked on the exhibit. "A lot of them do it to relieve stress."

"You can look at it like a therapeutic thing," said Officer David Prichard, an art specialist for the Clark County School District for eight years before he joined Metro. Prichard spends about four or five hours a week on his art. "It helps me relax."

Using different media to recreate varying subject matter that he selects from his books, Prichard uses the work to take away the stress of handling robberies, burglaries and combative citizens, he said.

"You face all kind of things. You never know what you're going to roll up on out there."

His subject matter ranges from black-and-white movies to European history. His graphite of "Judge Dredd" and a pointillism picture of a jet fighter are on display. The delicate shapes of his miniature water colors -- the work he most enjoys -- is no test to his masculinity, he said.

"You can be macho and do artwork too," Prichard said.

Officer Patrick Taylor said a decade ago that he never could have imagined painting works such as pink ballet slippers against a chartreuse background. He created the image for his daughter, who dances with ballet locally.

A project specialist for Metro, Taylor was injured 10 years ago while on duty in the Marine Corps Reserve and was placed on light duty afterward.

At the same time, a position for a graphic artist opened in the department.

"Art has become my life," Taylor said. "I do it at work. I do it at home."

The same goes for forensic sketch artist James Hulsey, who during his off-hours likes to paint nudes, American Indians and other subjects.

Crime lab members also use their skills while off duty. Many are photographers and produce portraits and other photos in their spare time. Others, such as Linette Weston in personnel whose photographs of sunsets are on display, just happen to be in the right place at the right time.

"It's just a hobby for me," Wilson said. "Usually I'm out bass fishing and see this spectacular thing that I like."