Charlotte Mahn is using her past to reshape the present and future. She is a passionate artist with a diverse educational background that first awakened her creative side. Her education started with high school art classes, followed by the University of Maryland-European Division, and a Vocational Technical school in Waynesville, Missouri. Charlotte, a native of Western Michigan from Muskegon, graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School in 1975 and joined the U.S. Army in 1979. She served her country for over a decade in transportation and food service till 1990 when she was honorably discharged due to a service-related injury. After leaving the military, Charlotte struggled to find and maintain gainful employment. However, she decided to pursue her first love, art, which she had been interested in since her early teens. Charlotte had always been fascinated by pyrographics and beadwork and deer and elk-skin crafting. She honed her skills in these areas and eventually won her son a first-prize award for a beaded chamois skin shirt.
Charlotte’s latest piece, titled “Honoring Our Veterans & Our Indigenous People,” is part of the “HONOR” series in 2024. The artwork brings light to the serious plights of North American citizens, including our military members and indigenous peoples. Charlotte’s piece highlights the issue of veteran suicide, which takes at least twenty-two veteran lives every day. She believes that we must do better to help our veterans process their visible and invisible wounds. Moreover, Charlotte’s artwork also addresses the ongoing struggles of indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada. She raises awareness about the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Children, and Men (MMIWCM). This art piece honors the lives of children lost to residential schools and young girls and women who are raped, trafficked, killed, and dumped like trash in landfills. Charlotte believes that we need to stop this and honor the value of every life. In conclusion, Charlotte’s artwork is a beautiful tribute to our veterans and indigenous peoples. She uses her art to raise awareness about the challenges they face and the need to act. Charlotte’s passion for art and her commitment to social justice are admirable, and her work is a testament to her talent and dedication.
Art for Honor is an exhibit of artwork created by veterans,
because every story deserves a chance to be heard.
Art for Honor at ArtPrize
September 13 – 28, 2024
Veterans Memorial Park
101 Fulton St E,
Grand Rapids, MI
Art for Honor: A creative collaboration with Pamela Alderman Art, Kent County Veterans Services, and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
