ALCOAST 330/25 - JUL 2025 2025 COAST GUARD ART PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE CEREMONY

R 251520Z JUL 25 MID120002099469U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 330/25
SSIC 5754
SUBJ: 2025 COAST GUARD ART PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE CEREMONY
1. The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District Commander Rear Admiral
Michael Platt officially accepted 34 new works by 24 member artists
of the Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP) on 10 July 2025 at the
Salmagundi Club in New York City. Rear Admiral Platt thanked the
artists for their outstanding contributions and lauded the support
the program receives from the Salmagundi Club and the New York
Council of the Navy League. The Salmagundi Club is a non-profit
organization dedicated to the promotion and support of art and
artists and has served as the art program's co-sponsor since
COGAP's inception in 1981.
2. COGAP artist Leendert van der Pool won this year's George Gray
Award, COGAP's best in show award. His winning painting, "Daring
rescue" shows a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater rescue of a
mariner and his dog when the mariner's vessel became disabled off
Florida's West Coast. The jurors for this prestigious award were
Rear Admiral Platt, Patrick O'Brien, president of The American
Society of Marine Artists and Charles Yoder, Salmagundi Club member
and a former Salmagundi Club art committee chair.
3. COGAP uses art as an outreach tool for educating diverse
audiences about the Coast Guard. Through displays at museums,
libraries and patriotic events, the art tells the story of the
Coast Guard's missions and the vital work performed by service
members. Art is also displayed in offices of Members of Congress,
senior officials of the Executive Branch of government, other
military services and at Coast Guard locations throughout the
country. All works are given freely to the Service by COGAP artist
members who receive no compensation for time or materials. The 2025
collection was on display from 01 July through 29 July 2025 at the
Salmagundi Club in New York City. It will be on display for two
months starting 04 August 2025 at Federal Hall National Memorial,
a highly visited Manhattan venue near the New York Stock Exchange.
4. Units can support COGAP in several ways:
    a. Unit CO/OIC can inform the COGAP coordinator (email address
below) of upcoming unit missions that might be of visual interest
to COGAP artists and act as host, allowing the COGAP artist member
to capture source material to use in paintings or drawings.
    b. Assist in local recruiting efforts by suggesting talented
artists, service members, and civilians contact the COGAP
coordinator for information on how to join the program.
    c. Recommend to the COGAP coordinator local venues that would be
appropriate to host COGAP exhibitions including museums, town halls
and state houses.
    d. In consultation with the COGAP coordinator, provide speakers
or support demonstrations (for example search and rescue demos or
vertical insertions) at COGAP events to enhance attendance. These
events need to be free and open to and accessible by the public.
5. High resolution files of art can be downloaded by units and the
public for free at: DVIDS,
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USCG-COGAP

The program website can be visited at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscg.mil/Community/Art-Program/

6. The program, now in its 44th year, has art on display in museums
across the country, with additional exhibitions slated for later
this year.
7. For more information, contact COGAP coordinator Mary Ann Bader at
202-372-4643 or by email at Maryann.Bader@uscg.mil or
COGAP@uscg.mil.
8. Ms. Jennifer Plozai, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs
(CG-092), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.