Metro art featured in exhibit

Kimberley McGee

Friday, Nov. 23, 2001 | 9:39 a.m.

Art exhibit

What: "Metro Art Exhibit."

When: Through Dec. 9.

Where: West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.

Admission: Free.

Information: 507-3940.

The delicate strokes and detailed stitches are completed by hands that can produce a piece of art as skillfully as they can hoist a pen and write a ticket or handle a firearm.

The "Metro Art" exhibit at the West Charleston Library features 47 paintings, drawings and crafts created by employees of the Metropolitan Police Department. It is on display through Dec. 9.

Patrick Taylor, a project manager for the graphic art department of Metro, is one of the exhibit's featured artists.

The local exhibit is important, Taylor said, as it shows a personal side to the people in law enforcement.

"People see an officer writing them a ticket or taking them to jail," Taylor said. "They don't always see that we have hobbies and talents behind the badge."

The 37-year-old turned to painting after suffering a head injury on the job 10 years ago.

Months of bed rest and reporting to rehabilitation rather than duty dampened Taylor's spirits. His future as an officer was in question as he underwent five operations on his spine.

His wife, Tami, gave him a pencil and sketch pad to wile away the hours.

"I was in a lot of pain," Taylor said. "I turned to art as mental therapy and it kept growing."

His landscape paintings evolved into portraits of his growing family, including children Ashley, age 13, Austin, 9, and Jessica, 4.

After it was determined his injury would hinder his performance as a police officer, Taylor was asked to rejoin the force using the talent he picked up during rehabilitation -- drawing.

Sheriff Jerry Keller ensured Taylor he would continue to have a career in the police force regardless of his injury.

"He was my captain when I got hurt," Taylor said. "To this day he has followed my health, my family. I wanted to give something back to him."

Last year Taylor unveiled an oil painting of Keller that he completed in honor of the sheriff's loyalty to his officers.

Linda McCombs, a senior law enforcement support technician in the finger-printing department, has cross-stitched hundreds of pieces -- baby blankets, Christmas ornaments and towels -- on her lunch hour for the past 14 years with the department.

"(The exhibit) shows that there are other things that we do," McCombs said. "We don't just stick with law enforcement."

Kimberley McGee

is an Accent feature writer. Reach her at 259-4096 or mcgee@lasvegassun.com.