The Patterson Foundation commemorates the veterans and brings the Legacy of Valor campaign to its final climax with the Veterans Legacy Summit this weekend. In cooperation with The Hermitage Artist Retreat, the summit will span from tonight until Sunday, with opportunities to meet the artists behind the sculpture and photography gracing Patriot Plaza, attend special film screenings and learn more about local and national organizations working to help the nation’s veterans.

“This Veterans Legacy Summit is the capstone of The Patterson Foundation’s military initiative, with the creation and donation of Patriot Plaza being the hallmark,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “The commissioned art is unlike any installation in the nation, and each of the artists have shared that this was so much more than a project – it is a legacy.”

The celebration begins tonight at 5:30pm at the Ringling Museum, where Patriot Plaza contributing sculptors Ann Hirsch and Pablo Eduardo will lead visitors on a walk through the galleries, discussing the art of sculpture. Continue the conversation afterward at the Historic Asolo Theatre when the artists take the stage for a more focused discussion.

Tomorrow, Ringling College plays host to the Patriot Plaza artists, with Eduardo and Hirsch being joined by Larry Kirkland and Ellen Driscoll, who will all be discussing their artistic processes behind the commissioned art. Afterwards, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists and their subjects share their stories in group and individual panels.

Many of the artists speaking are also fellows at the Hermitage, which as an artist retreat is dedicated to providing working artists solace and refuge to concentrate on their craft. However, the Hermitage also harbors a dedication to community involvement atypical of artist retreats and so jumped at the opportunity to work with Patterson for the summit.

“It’s built into our core values that the artists that come here and are inspired have interaction with the community that’s fundamentally free,” said Bruce Rodgers, executive director at the Hermitage. “It really is a win-win for everybody - the community gets exposure to the people creating the art of our time and the artists get the opportunity to look at their work in a new way.”

Friday also brings the Veterans Legacy Film Festival, screening movies dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans all day from 11:45am-9pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The festival concludes with award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien’s documentary The War Comes Home, followed by a panel discussion with O’Brien and others.

For the service-minded, the summit begins in earnest on Saturday, beginning at 8am at Florida Studio Theatre, where multiple workshops will run until noon, exploring the various organizations and programs supporting veterans and their families. Presentations include a keynote address from Col. Steve Parker, executive director of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative.

The summit peaks at Patriot Plaza in the Sarasota National Cemetery at 2pm on Saturday, with presentations from veterans, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Jane Chu, the West Point Band and an outfit of Forever Miss Americas who have each partnered with a regional nonprofit. In addition, Maj. Gen. John Rossi will administer the Oath of Enlistment to over 20 aspiring servicemembers, officially bringing them into the armed forces. Tickets are required, but are free to the community.

The summit concludes on Sunday with a sold-out performance from the West Point Band.

“This final convening will not only showcase Patriot Plaza to the nation,” said Jacobs, “but also provide opportunities for those who care about veterans to learn and share with national leaders.”