Former President George W. Bush, who began pursuing his passion for art after leaving office, is debuting 16 new paintings for a “Remembering 9/11” exhibit.
The showcase runs from Sept. 1 to 30 and is meant to honor and “reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and resilience” that arose following the devastating terrorist attack, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The event marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Firefighters along with a few military personal drape a large flag over the west wall of the Pentagon a few yards from the area damaged by the attack earlier in the day in Arlington, Va., on September 11, 2001. (John McDonnell / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The 43rd President of the United States was in office during the attacks, and while the exact content of the 16 paintings hasn’t been released, the featured image shows a painting of a helmet and flowers at New York City’s Engine Co. 55 firehouse on 9/11. Company 55 was one of the fire crews that lost members during the emergency response after the World Trade Center was hit, according to congressional records.
The acrylic and oil were etched on a stretched 16 x 20-inch canvas. A video posted by the U.S. Marines shows the photo that likely was replicated in the painting, with the words Lt. Battista and Lt. Freund.
Freund was a 45-year-old lieutenant who died while helping people escape the North Tower.
Visitors wanting to witness the artwork can visit Freedom Hall at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. The 67-foot-tall structure will host the special collection, handcrafted by a former president.
Adult tickets are on sale for $26, with children under 12 years old priced at $20. Seniors and children ages 13-17 are also discounted slightly.
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This isn’t the first time Bush’s artwork has been on display at the museum. In August 2020, Bush created an exhibit of stories and portraits he did based on 43 immigrants he spoke with.
“As I said from the Oval Office in 2006, ‘America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time,’” Bush wrote on social media at the time.