Grab your art supplies and join New Orleans artist Journey Allen as she takes us through painting a special piece inspired by the National WWII Museum’s newest special exhibition, Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, on display through January 2021.

Sponsored by AARP Louisiana.

Recommended Supplies:

• 16 x 20-inch Canvas
• Brushes (2 cm wise flat, 0.5 cm wide pointed, and 1.5 cm flat)
• Water cup and paper towels for cleaning brushes
• Disposable plates for pallet
• Red, yellow, blue, white, black, and brown paint
• Pencil with eraser
• Printout of soldier silhouette (can be blown up and used as a stencil if accessible)
• Blow dryer (optional, but helpful)
• Tabletop easel (optional)

About the exhibit:

Activated on January 20, 1944, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the “Ghost Army,” was the first mobile, multimedia, tactical deception unit in US Army history. Consisting of an authorized strength of 82 officers and 1,023 men under the command of Army veteran Colonel Harry L. Reeder, this unique and top-secret unit was capable of simulating two whole divisions—approximately 30,000 men—and used visual, sonic, and radio deception to fool German forces during World War II’s final year.

In Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, the unique story of the 23rd’s more than 1,100 men who deceived, sketched, and painted across Europe to manipulate Hitler’s armies is told through multiple elements including historical narrative text panels detailing unit operations, profiles of unit officers, archival photography, and even sketches and uniforms from unit officers.

Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II is exclusively sponsored by E. L. Wiegand Foundation.

To learn more about Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II, please view our website: nationalww2museum.org/visit/museum-campus-guide/hall-democracy/senator-john-alario-jr-special-exhibition-hall/ghost-army.