Newport artist's work part of Coast Guard program

Don Hatcher is a professional technical illustrator who sometimes makes it hard to distinguish his art from a photograph, with many of his pieces depicting the Coast Guard in action.   

Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Don and his wife, Marcia, moved to Newport, Wash., in June 2018. 

Don has been an artist since he was 10 years old. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as an illustrator of commercial signs, going on to become a technical illustrator in the aviation industry. The artist has an enduring interest in space, aviation and Coast Guard art. In addition, his work has been exhibited in museums, art associations and galleries and has been featured in newspaper articles and on television. 

Don has 15 paintings in the Coast Guard Art Program permanent collection. Since the Coast Guard Art Program's inception in 1981, the Salmagundi Club in New York City has been its sponsor. Coast Guard Art Program permanent display pieces are exhibited at the Salmagundi Club for a month. From there, the exhibits are at the Federal Hall National Museum for nearly two months and then for a month-long exhibition at the Union League Club, both located in New York City. After the major exhibits in New York City, art from the program is exhibited at museums, senior government officials, other military services, and Coast Guard leadership and locations nationwide.  

Coast Guard art has also been displayed by the State Department overseas in its Art in Embassies program. The COGAP uses fine art as an outreach tool for educating diverse audiences about the Coast Guard. 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.  

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the COGAP. Today, the collection holds over 2,200 works that capture the many missions the active-duty men and women of the Coast Guard perform daily. Paintings and drawings bring to life the work performed by the Coast Guard and vividly demonstrate the Service's contributions to the country.  

The 2024 collection is comprised of 36 works created by 31 artists. All works are donated by COGAP members, most of whom are professional artists. Don has been a COGAP artist since 2021. 

The people in North Idaho are probably aware that they are served by U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, Flotilla 130-08-07, Lake Pend Oreille. The Flotilla and, indeed, North Idaho, are lucky to have Don Hatcher, from Newport with this rare and special talent.   

Flotilla 130-08-07 conducts a number of free services including summer patrols on the lake to ensure safe boating operations, conducts no-consequence vessel inspections of boats, kayaks, canoes and standup paddle boards, as well as offer boating safety classes to the public.  The Auxiliary coordinates closely with the Bonner County Sheriff, Marine Division, in providing patrols to support safe boating on the lake.  

The members of the flotilla are a diverse group of individuals who come from various backgrounds including legal, government, oil industry, boat and vehicle engine repair, Air Force, Coast Guard, real estate, insurance, marine, sales, law enforcement, space, investment, radio communications, and construction.  

Anyone interested in joining or obtaining more information about Flotilla Lake Pend Oreille, or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary please contact Beverly Hannibal at 509-951-9191 or bhannibal44@gmail.com.

Tom Barnes is a member of the USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 130-08-07.

    A Coast Guard crew is pictured training with the Dutch Coast Guard off the western coast of Greenland in this artwork by Don Hatcher.
  

    A MH-65 Dolphin Coast Guard helicopter crew is pictured over Kodiak Island in this artwork by Don Hatcher.