Overseas-deployed service members' artwork ais being highlighted during a national exhibition tour that kicked off on Veterans Day in Pottsville.

The "Graffiti of War" project, presented by "Block of Art", represents an anthology of more than 400 pieces of art left by deployed service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The collection includes images of graffiti murals painted on the tall concrete barriers at many operating bases in Iraq now being turned over to Iraqi security forces.Deployed service members have often designed murals on walls around U.S. bases in Iraq. The paintings illustrated unit affiliations, military vehicles and equipment, mythological and historic figures, ranks, names, and anything else that flowed from the creative minds of the artists. By displaying them for the American public to see in the Graffiti of War traveling exhibit, organizers hope they help people better understand the struggles and accomplishments of service members deployed to combat zones.This tour also presents the little seen perspective from the individual experience of this generation's conflicts. Through the creation of this art, these men and women express the emotions of war and provide an insight to life in combat.The exhibit is being showcased in eight downtown businesses and art galleries along West Market Street and Centre Street in Pottsville. Admission is free. The main showing is located at 205 W. Market Street. Art venues are open this Wednesday & Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 18 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 20 from noon to 6 p.m. Jack Hirschfeld, co-chair of "Block of Art," stated, "Pottsville will be the first and, eventually, the last stop on the national tour." For more information on the Graffiti of War project, please visit

www.graffitiofwar.com. Proceeds from this exhibit benefit soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).