To expand opportunities for artists in Maryland, Inclusion of Public Art was signed into law that now includes capital projects that are 50 percent State-funded, rather than limiting eligibility for projects only 100 percent funded by the State. The law ensures that state projects will dedicate one half of one percent of the overall budget to public art. Maryland State Arts Council manages the public art program, working closely with the user agency to help them to select artists and facilitate artwork execution and installation.

A newly constructed 37,000 square-foot Army National Guard Readiness Center in Easton, Maryland qualified for the public art program and with a two-story, glassed lobby in the plans, it was a perfect venue for commissioned art. The new structure replaced a legacy-building constructed in 1976.

Liesel Fenner, Public Art Program Director for the Maryland State Arts Council posted a call for entries in 2017, receiving applicants from which five were chosen. The select group presented proposals to a special committee charged with selecting one Maryland artist to create artwork for the lobby space.

Mark Stutzman was alerted to the call for entries through the Garrett County Arts Council, his local arts organization. His proposal was ultimately chosen from the narrowed applicants to adorn the 8 by 18-foot towering wall the architects devoted to public art. There were no strict guidelines other than the work not project further than four inches from the wall and that the proposal included framing, installation, and lighting.

"It was such an honor to be chosen for the project," said Stutzman. "When I presented to the committee, I was uncertain if my idea touched on how they wanted to honor the Army National Guard. I don't come from a military family so I hoped I was representing them with deserved respect."

His proposal to the committee was fluid, containing a few alternate ideas, according to Stutzman. "I'm used to hammering out ideas with input from my clients so I wanted to submit something that would have some flexibility allowing the committee’s influence and expertise to customize the final artwork."

Stutzman's depiction included symbolism that he found relevant to the Army National Guard’s, past, present, and future. He wanted the installation to have a traditional feel reminiscent of an earlier time while evoking pride and paying tribute to public service.

"The National Guard's history is significant and extensive so it would have been near impossible to depict every event dutifully," Stutzman shared. "To honor their legacy I resorting to symbolic characters of previous wars and featured today's Army National Guard to mark a time and place." That time and place, Stutzman says, will be woven into tomorrow’s history.

The romanticized artwork is titled ALWAYS READY. Stutzman adopted this theme during the first briefing to all the artists who submitted proposals.

“A recurring message was how challenging it is to maintain equipment and keep service members trained who are only called upon in times of need,” Stutzman said. “The title ALWAYS READY came to me as a foundation for a larger narrative.”

Within the art, a larger-than-life vigilant soldier is perched on an overlook. He's armed and in full gear but waiting to take action which reinforces the painting’s theme. Other soldiers are depicted helping children and a fellow injured soldier while one soldier is nearly hidden from view, sighting a target in the cool shadows of a rocky background. Military equipment is included throughout to showcase the technical tools that support the Guard’s prowess.

The armory in Cumberland, MD is just an hour’s drive from Stutzman’s home which is located in the western-most county of Maryland. It’s also the closest facility still in operation. He arranged to attend a “Family Day” in December of 2017 to photograph soldiers and family members who willingly reenacted the scenes portrayed in the final artwork.

“Everyone was so helpful,” said Stutzman. “Their cooperation allowed me to ask questions and capture real-life portrayals of who the Guard is with the most accuracy.”

A 22-foot, stone-tiled facade spanning floor-to-ceiling frames the mammoth stretched canvas, providing a shadowbox effect reminiscent of installations one might find in historic municipal buildings. The stone surround was also part of Stutzman's initial proposal, later to find out that another wall in the lobby design plan had a stone facing as well. He collaborated with the building design team to match the stone and course style so everything would be coordinated.

The original artwork was done to scale in watercolor and airbrush, and in sections at natural breaking points. The artwork was then scanned, assembled, printed on a seamless canvas, and stretched over a large aluminum-frame stretcher. Once hoisted into place, the 100-pound artwork became a permanent part of the new building.

"I lost plenty of sleep before I had the canvas stretched and mounted in the space," said Stutzman. "The stretcher frame had some flexibility in size but if it had been even an eighth-inch too big, it never would have fit."

Other notable features of the artwork are two soldiers, one Revolutionary, and the other from WWII who were painted to match the stone texture of the tiled frame. Stutzman's idea was to incorporate the stone texture and color into the borders of the art in a trompe l’oeil fashion so it and the stone would blend into one cohesive piece. A crack in the header, which is engraved with the title, implies the dedication needed to uphold the long-standing tradition of America’s armed forces.

The soldiers flank a clock face, suggesting the Guard's work is never-ending. To reinforce this idea overlapping infinity symbols were substituted for the hands of the clock. This was a collaborative concept that integrated the committee’s input – Something Stutzman encouraged and welcomed.

At the base of the artwork and near eye-level, Athena, the Goddess of War, takes center stage. Historically, she holds an owl that represents wisdom but in Stutzman's version, she is paired with a bald eagle – America's mascot. Surrounding her are 20 laurel leaves and 19 swords to denote the year the new Readiness Center was constructed. A scrolling Latin phrase translates to read, "If you want peace, prepare for war" which Stutzman felt epitomized Athena who exhausts all diplomatic solutions before using force. A white dove floats past the Maryland flag that is draped above to echo Athena’s desire for peace.

An invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on August 10, 2019, where the Maryland Army National Guard and others could celebrate their new state-of-the-art home in the state's Chesapeake Bay location. Governor Larry Hogan enjoyed a complete and personalized tour of the facility shortly after on August 14.

The building’s upgrades complete with equipment training simulators, fitness room, commercial kitchen, drill training area, equipment bays, office space, library, and more will certainly ensure that the Maryland Army Nation Guard is always ready. The lobby artwork greets Guard members and guests each day to help tell their story and celebrate their rich history and dedication to those they serve.