Artwork created in honour of the UK’s Royal event planner has been proudly displayed in his hometown of Telford.
Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew (Vern) Stokes OBE MVO DL was the guest of honour at the event held in Telford Shopping Centre – returning from London where he had been busy organising this year’s Trooping the Colour to view the art inspired by him.
Vern grew up in Madeley before joining the British Army at 16, travelling around the world on tours, becoming the highest-ranking officer at Sandhurst and then moving into his current role a decade ago.
He is the patron of 4 All Foundation, the charity which organised the Art 4 All project, calling on members of their various activities and programmes to help them create the exhibition.
Following the event, Vern said: “It was a real privilege to be at Telford Shopping Centre to see first-hand the wonderful artwork that has been created through this project. When people think about art, they often think about paintings, drawings, colours and creativity. Art is much more than that. Art is a way of expressing ourselves: it allows us to share our thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination in ways that words sometimes cannot.
“One of the things I particularly like about this project is that it has brought together people of all ages. It is not just children who benefit from art. For older people, art can bring back memories, encourage conversation, reduce loneliness and provide a sense of purpose and achievement. For young people, it builds confidence, develops creativity and encourages them to see the world from different perspectives.
“When I saw the work on display, what struck me most was that every piece told a story. Each drawing, painting or creation is unique because it reflects the person who made it. Some of the artwork was inspired by my own journey of growing up in Telford and serving in the army and later becoming the Garrison Sergeant Major. If that has encouraged anyone to pick up a paintbrush, pencil, or simply to dream a little bigger, then I am truly honoured, but what is more important is not my story, but the stories the artists have chosen to tell through their artwork.”
CAPTION: Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew (Vern) Stokes at the Art 4 All exhibition.
