Art Educates the Public About
the Daily Missions of the United States Coast Guard:
Karen Loew Discusses her Involvement and Dedication to COGAP
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The Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP), sponsored by the Salmagundi Club, uses fine art as an outreach tool for educating diverse audiences about the United States Coast Guard. Today, more than ever, the service addresses an abundance of challenges as it works to maintain the nation’s security at home and abroad and executes its statutory missions, such as search and rescue, defense readiness, and drug and illegal migrant interdiction. COGAP art provides visual testimony to the unique contribution the service makes to the nation in its multifaceted roles as a military, humanitarian and law enforcement organization. Art from the program is exhibited at museums around the country. It is also displayed in offices of members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, senior government officials and other military services and Coast Guard locations nationwide. Coast Guard artists — a talented cadre of professional artists — donate their work to the program. Today, the collection comprises over 2,000 works showing the missions performed by the service’s force of nearly 42,000 active duty members. |
Karen Loew Narrates the above Video Montage of the 2020 COGAP Exhibition
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Myrna Beth Haskell, executive editor, spoke with Karen Loew about the history and mission of COGAP, her duties as Committee Chair of the program, and her personal journey in the arts.
The program has been sponsored by the Salmagundi Club since its inception in 1981. How did the program start?
The program was started in 1981 by two co-founders: George Gray was a Salmagundi Club member and a combat artist from his Vietnam Days. Jim Ward was with community relations at Coast Guard Headquarters. George had been involved with NACAL (a Navy art program), but that ended in the late '70s, and he still had a desire to give back to the military community. So, they created COGAP.
Salmagundi is the proud sponsor of COGAP. As an artist who wants to give to the Coast Guard, you can’t just ship your work off to headquarters. It’s the U.S. Military, and there is a process. So, we handle that process: We convey the art to the Coast Guard. The work is juried, and there is an acceptance ceremony.
The program has been sponsored by the Salmagundi Club since its inception in 1981. How did the program start?
The program was started in 1981 by two co-founders: George Gray was a Salmagundi Club member and a combat artist from his Vietnam Days. Jim Ward was with community relations at Coast Guard Headquarters. George had been involved with NACAL (a Navy art program), but that ended in the late '70s, and he still had a desire to give back to the military community. So, they created COGAP.
Salmagundi is the proud sponsor of COGAP. As an artist who wants to give to the Coast Guard, you can’t just ship your work off to headquarters. It’s the U.S. Military, and there is a process. So, we handle that process: We convey the art to the Coast Guard. The work is juried, and there is an acceptance ceremony.
Presentation of Public Service Commendation Awards to COGAP Artists Attending the June 2019 Acceptance Ceremony at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan
Photo Composite Credit: Paul Backalenick, Philippe Debeusscher and USCG Public Affairs
Photo Composite Credit: Paul Backalenick, Philippe Debeusscher and USCG Public Affairs
Karen Poses with her Piece "Keeping Watch" to be Exhibited in COGAP 2022
Photo Credit: Paul Backalenick
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What made you interested in becoming involved with COGAP?
I joined Salmagundi Club in 1999, and I’ve been with the COGAP program since 2000. In 1999, Tom Picard was vice chair of the committee (George Gray was still the chairperson) when I was new to Salmagundi. At that time, Tom ran a lot of the programs to help George out. I went to an event that COGAP sponsored on St. Patrick’s Day that year called “Sketching through Ireland.” Coast Guard leadership was there – they would come up from Washington D.C. for these events. As I learned more about the program, I thought it was truly unique – the idea of donating art. My dad was in the Navy in WWII, so I was drawn to this. I was so impressed with what the Coast Guard does. At that time, I didn’t know that they had 11 missions. As I learned more and more, I decided this program spoke to me and was something I wanted to be involved with. I put in an application for the program, and later that year, when my mother and I were taking a trip to the West Coast, I received an introduction through Coast Guard Headquarters to get a private tour of the Polar Star icebreaker. Mary Ann Bader, COGAP coordinator at the headquarters in Washington D.C., wants the program to be mission-focused, to show the depth of what the Coast Guard does. This was the first time I was on the ship, and I wanted to express its mission, but I wanted the painting to be more than a ship at a dock. As COGAP artists, we are allowed to use Coast Guard Public Affairs imagery. I wound up using a photo from an icebreaker in the Antarctic that inspired me. This was my first painting for the program, which represented the scientific mission and exploration of the ice. |
Besides Salmagundi, are there other places the work can be seen?
After the annual, inaugural exhibition for the collection at Salmagundi, the exhibition goes to Federal Hall National Memorial in Manhattan until the middle of September. After that, it goes to the Union League Club in Manhattan.
The work also gets seen in museums and other high-profile places, such as Coast Guard Headquarters, ‘Change of Command’ ceremonies (both locally and nationally), and in Congressional offices. So, the art is out there working where government leadership gets to see it.
After the annual, inaugural exhibition for the collection at Salmagundi, the exhibition goes to Federal Hall National Memorial in Manhattan until the middle of September. After that, it goes to the Union League Club in Manhattan.
The work also gets seen in museums and other high-profile places, such as Coast Guard Headquarters, ‘Change of Command’ ceremonies (both locally and nationally), and in Congressional offices. So, the art is out there working where government leadership gets to see it.
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The artists donate their work, but there is a strict jury process. Could you tell me about how the art is selected?
To become a member of COGAP, you need to fill out an application. If you are already an artist member of Salmagundi, your artwork has already been vetted, so you don’t have to send in work to be reviewed. Non-members are expected to send in samples of their work. Mary Ann Bader and our vice committee chair review applications to see if the artist is a skilled representational painter. This is not for abstract artists. This program tells the Coast Guard’s story. It’s not about the artist. It’s about the Coast Guard. A call for entry is sent out to artists accepted in the program, and then the work for the upcoming show is selected. There is a list of suggested topics, and artists are given a list of locations where they can get approved imagery to paint from. The jury of selection is made up of four people. Two are Coast Guard Officers to be sure we are depicting the Coast Guard crew and assets accurately. The jury also includes a senior artist member of the Salmagundi Club and another selected art expert. These exhibitions are educating the public, but it is also a great morale booster for Coast Guard members. |
"Mission of Compassion" by Karen Loew
Oil ~ 18 X 14 inches © U.S. Coast Guard |
What does your role entail as Chair of the program?
I became a member of the committee shortly after becoming a member of the Salmagundi Club. In 2001, I became the first woman Chair.
I became a member of the committee shortly after becoming a member of the Salmagundi Club. In 2001, I became the first woman Chair.
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I’m the liaison between the Salmagundi Club and Coast Guard Headquarters. I also serve as liaison for the New York Council Navy League, [a nonprofit organization], which is a huge sponsor of our program. This organization generously funds our acceptance ceremony reception. I also have a relationship with the New York Commander of the Naval Order of the United States, which has supported one of our Veterans’ shows. I keep in touch with these various support organizations.
But I don’t work alone. I have a committee of ten members that I work with. We put together the books for review for the jury. We install the shows and take down the shows. We help organize the reception. I also serve as a spokesperson. I speak at the acceptance ceremony reception on behalf of the COGAP artists. I give interviews. I’ve done Zoom webinars, especially this last year when people couldn’t gather. I did a webinar in Virginia and organized a presentation with the theme “11 Missions of the Coast Guard Shown through Art,” matching the missions with the artwork. |
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I’ve always believed that the meaning of our life is to find our purpose. This COGAP program has defined a purpose for me. The art I’ve donated is like my legacy. It really has a strong emotional hold on me.
Have there been any major program initiatives you're particularly proud of? After Hurricane Katrina, we had an art demonstration that got us involved with the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) program.* One of our artists donated her artwork – we had a raffle and donated the proceeds to CGMA. This demo drew enormous attention to the Coast Guard, COGAP, our club, and the brave work the ‘Coasties’ do. The community all knew about Hurricane Katrina, but they didn’t really know the backstory about the rescue efforts. This demo in particular (and there have been many others over the years), really got people invested. Since then, much of our imagery shows hurricane rescue efforts. |
"I’ve always believed that the meaning of our life is to find our purpose. This COGAP program has defined a purpose for me. The art I’ve donated is like my legacy. It really has a strong emotional hold on me." ~ Karen Loew |
*CGMA, an independent, nonprofit organization, is the official relief society of the U.S. Coast Guard. Established and operated by Coast Guard people for Coast Guard people, CGMA provides a way to extend compassion to one another in times of need. It serves as a vital financial safety net, promoting financial stability and general wellbeing, fostering high morale and encouraging a sense of loyalty to the Coast Guard. The CGMA mission is to promote the financial stability and general well-being of Coast Guard people through interest-free loans, grants, and financial counseling.
I've read that you've traveled to document the brave work members of the Coast Guard engage in on a daily basis. Will you share a story about the inspiration behind one or more of your pieces?
My first trip, which was also my most memorable one, was when I went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in May 2002. My mission was to document port security in Gitmo. I was with units out on the water and on the base. I was even out at a firing range watching Coasties practice (safely back, of course). As a civilian, I was thinking, ‘Wow! This is an armed military service!’ It was a deep dive into what they were doing there. I took my own photographs. In this case, because it was highly sensitive, the Coast Guard Community Relations, who had set up the trip for me, reviewed my images when I came back. I did nine paintings and drawings from that trip.
The next year, they sent PSU 305’s Lieutenant Commander to the ceremony, and he handed me the unit coin, which is a big deal. I have quite a collection of unit coins now (sometimes called challenge coins), but that was my first.
I've read that you've traveled to document the brave work members of the Coast Guard engage in on a daily basis. Will you share a story about the inspiration behind one or more of your pieces?
My first trip, which was also my most memorable one, was when I went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in May 2002. My mission was to document port security in Gitmo. I was with units out on the water and on the base. I was even out at a firing range watching Coasties practice (safely back, of course). As a civilian, I was thinking, ‘Wow! This is an armed military service!’ It was a deep dive into what they were doing there. I took my own photographs. In this case, because it was highly sensitive, the Coast Guard Community Relations, who had set up the trip for me, reviewed my images when I came back. I did nine paintings and drawings from that trip.
The next year, they sent PSU 305’s Lieutenant Commander to the ceremony, and he handed me the unit coin, which is a big deal. I have quite a collection of unit coins now (sometimes called challenge coins), but that was my first.
"Migrants at Sea" by Karen Loew
Oil ~ 12 X 12 inches © U.S. Coast Guard |
I also have a story about my painting “Migrants at Sea.” It shows a Coastie with his back to the viewer. He’s rescuing someone, but no one knows who he is. When this painting hit the internet, the man in the painting recognized himself and contacted me.
This made such an impact on me! Sean Fearing's Response to Karen's Painting “Thank you for everything you do to bring our mission to the public. More importantly I am able to show this to my kids who always wonder why I'm gone from them so much, and they just lit up with joy when seeing your painting!" When Karen asked if she could quote him: “You absolutely may use what I said! Your work has made my last 12 years of doing this job!” |
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Are members of the Coast Guard also members of COGAP?
The artists come from anywhere from Florida to Alaska. Artists need to be U.S. citizens, and artists are both Coast Guard members and community members. I’d like to mention some Coast Guard members who have contributed to the program. Thomas Unger is a Coastie who submits work frequently, and he paints with coffee. This year, he has an outstanding piece that was done with 80-year-old fuel oil from a tanker that had been submerged – he got a sample of the oil and painted with it. Machinery technician Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Newman from Alaska uses watercolor (and sometimes oil) – he is right there on the scene taking photographs of what they’ve been doing. His wife, Acacia Anglin, is not a Coastie, but is also a member of the program. I believe it’s the first time we’ve had both husband and wife as members. |
"Harbor Rendezvous" by Karen Loew
Pastel on Paper ~ 14 X 17 inches Winner of the George Gray Award for Artistic Excellence (COGAP's Top Honor) © U.S. Coast Guard |
Stand By U
Monotype ~ 9.375 X 7.375 inches © Karen Loew |
What mediums do you prefer to work with?
For the Coast Guard program, I started out with pastel because that was always a favorite medium of mine. But then I realized how much the art travels with the COGAP shows, and pastel doesn’t travel well because it’s a very fragile medium. So, I shifted to oils because that was more stable. I still love pastels, but I’ve gotten involved with expanding my skills as an oil painter. I also love working with monotype which I got introduced to at Salmagundi Club. Salmagundi has two antique presses, and we have monthly monotype parties. I’ve really taken to this medium. A lot of my personal work revolves around monotype. It’s a very tricky medium because you get only one shot at it, so the press better be kind. Recently, the impact [of the invasion of Ukraine] really hit me, and I went to buy a couple of sunflowers. I held one sunflower in my hand and took a photo. Basically, my fingers are making the ‘peace sign’ while I’m holding a sunflower. We’re going to have a print show in May, and I plan to submit this. Is there anything else you have in store that you’d like to share? I’m continuing with my monotypes to see what direction it will take me. I’m doing painted window shades for a collector who’s a history buff. I love to be open to everything. I’m driven in many directions, and I try new things when inspiration hits me. |
Where do you find sanctuary?
The last two years, my sanctuary has been at home. I waited all my life to find the right man. My husband has made my life extra special, and I love to travel with him. I also find sanctuary while painting. Painting is art therapy for me.
The last two years, my sanctuary has been at home. I waited all my life to find the right man. My husband has made my life extra special, and I love to travel with him. I also find sanctuary while painting. Painting is art therapy for me.
Baby Love
Monoprint ~ 9.375 x 7.375 inches © Karen Loew |
Karen Loew is a long-standing artist member of the Salmagundi Club and serves on the Board of Directors. The club, located in Manhattan, is one of the oldest art clubs in the United States. As the first woman committee chair of the Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP), she has led the committee since 2001 and was recently honored with Emeritus status. She is the liaison between Salmagundi, the program sponsor, and the United States Coast Guard.
In 2002, the Coast Guard sent her to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) to document activities of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 305. She is frequently a speaker at COGAP events and has presented webinars about the art program. In December 2019, she deployed to the Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) in Charleston, SC and created three paintings for COGAP. Karen is a recipient of COGAP’s top honor, the George Gray Award for Artistic Excellence for her painting “Harbor Rendezvous.” She was given the Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award in 2011, the highest recognition given to those who have made outstanding contributions in advancing the Coast Guard's mission. She considers her volunteer work as COGAP artist and Committee Chair to be the most meaningful of her art career. There are currently 30 works by Ms. Loew in the COGAP Collection, and she continues to be a regular contributor of her paintings to the program. Her work is in numerous private collections, including the Curator’s Collection at Salmagundi Club. Karen currently resides with her husband, psychological mystery and suspense writer Paul Backalenick, in Manhattan. |
Salmagundi Exhibition of Art by Military Veterans (Feb/March '22):
“Journeys Onward: Military Veterans’ Experiences” Karen Loew with Show Co-Curators: Paul Murray (Salmagundi Club artist member) and Omar Columbus (U.S. Air Force Veteran, artist and poet) This show is sponsored by the COGAP Committee. Photo Courtesy: Salmagundi Club |
Karen's Work on:
DVIDS UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:
2022 COGAP Exhibition (Free and Open to the Public) July 5 - July 15 (Gallery closes at 5 p.m. on Thurs., July 7) Mon. – Fri. ~ 1 to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. ~ 1 to 5 p.m. Salmagundi Club 47 Fifth Avenue New York, NY This year marks the program’s 41st anniversary. SC Drawings and Prints July 5 - July 15 Salmagundi Club 47 Fifth Avenue New York, NY |
