State Historical Society of Missouri Hosts New Exhibition Honoring Veterans

A new exhibition at the State Historical Society of Missouri highlights stories and experiences of veterans, woven within the fibers of the American military uniform. The free exhibition on display at the William Guitar Little Missouri Gallery of Art also invites the public to write their wishes for the country’s future during the 250th anniversary of the nation’s Declaration of Independence on the exhibition’s “wishing wall.”  The gallery is located inside the State Historical Society of Missouri’s headquarters at the Center for Missouri Studies, 605 Elm St., Columbia, Mo.

W[A]RN and TRANSFORMED: Uniforms as Stories of U.S. is a collaboration between the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection at the University of Missouri. This year's biennial exhibition, which runs through August 15, 2026, showcases military uniforms displayed alongside war-era posters, contemporary paper artworks and MU student apparel designs made with military uniforms transformed into handmade paper called Combat Paper.  

An opening reception will be held Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the State Historical Society. The public is invited to attend. It will include a panel program with veterans Drew Cameron of Combat Paper, Martin Lesinkski and John Schnieder of the U.S. Armed Services whose paper artworks are featured in the exhibition. Joan Stack, curator of SHSMO art collections said the opening reception offers visitors an opportunity to engage more deeply with the veterans’ experiences and memories.

“This exhibition brings together multiple partners as we honor veterans who are at the heart of this powerful project,” said Stack.

Combat Paper takes old military uniforms and turns them into pieces of handmade paper used in books, posters, flags, and artwork. The project, which promotes healing and how war is talked about, began when Cameron, an artist who is also a veteran of the Iraq War, began to study the ancient craft of hand papermaking while also working with veterans doing creative writing. He co-founded Combat Paper to foster community and creative expression among veterans.  Since 2009, Cameron has been invited to communities across the country to conduct workshops that transform military uniforms into paper and to learn the art of making paper by hand. His artwork has been in exhibitions at major galleries and museums. Currently, Cameron is a visiting artist on the MU campus, working with students in Textile and Apparel Management classes.  

The William Guitar Little Missouri Gallery of Art is open to visitors Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.