Cape Fear Studios, on 148 Maxwell St., is hosting its annual Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit from Oct. 27 through Nov. 21.

"Many of our deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines return home suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of these persons find healing and comfort in creating works of art," explained Steve Opet, the Cape Fear Studios Board President.

The Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit has been running for almost a decade, highlighting and supporting the local military community.

"This is the ninth year for the show, and it was started to honor and highlight the artistic abilities of our local military-affiliated artists," said Opet.

The Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit features a People's Choice award with cash prizes. Award winners are chosen by popular vote. Visitors can vote for their favorite art piece until Nov. 17 at the Cape Fear Studios.

The exhibition's goal is to provide a safe space, promote healing, and raise awareness within the community. It is not limited to service members.

"Alpha Romeo Tango is open to family members. People are often unaware of the sacrifices and anxiety military families face when their loved ones are deployed to dangerous duties and missions. Artistic abilities and talents help them cope with the stress," Opet said.

Sculptor Thea Cinnamon is one of the featured artists in the exhibit and is a military family member, with multiple generations of the family having served in the Armed Forces.

"Alpha Romeo Tango is an important show because we are multidimensional human beings," she explained. "We are not just veterans or military beings. We are so much more. Enjoying creativity is necessary for healing the soul. It is a warm, inviting, unpretentious environment where veterans and military families can share with the world that we have found ways to flourish."

Cinnamon's grandfather and father's service have made an impression on her.

"I have family members who served in the military. My grandfather, John Pols, came from Germany to fight against Hilter. He realized that he could not change what was not wholesome within his native country. He had to come to America and join the Army in World War II," she said.

"My father, Robert Roy Cinnamon, was in the Army during the Korean conflict. He lost a limb in service to his country. His aspirations were to be a singer and a dancer," Cinnamon said.
Instead, the Veteran's Administration retrained him as a Jeweler.

"As a Jeweler, he sculpted miniature objects. The mermaid ring was a prototype for Tippi Hedren's earrings. Tippi Hedren was a fashion model and American actor that starred in Alfred Hitchcock's movie 'The Birds' and 'Marnie,'" Cinnamon explained.

Cinnamon studied sculpture with the late Richard McDermott Miller and Philipe Faraut at PCF Studios in Honeoye, New York. She has created an exhibit of masks entitled "Finding Your Joy." "Giddy" and "Surprised" are featured in her exhibit. The masks represent all ethnicities engaged and empowered by true brotherhood.

Cinnamon is featuring a sculpture, "George Reeves, Superman, an American Hero," in the Alpha Tango Romeo Exhibit.

Reeves, an American actor who played Superman, was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps in WWll, Cinnamon said. "I chose an older veteran because of the seventy-fifth-year anniversary of the Air Force. I hope to either sell the sculpture to generate funds for the Air Force Ball or donate the piece to the Air Force as a symbol of my heart to those who have served in the military."

There will be a reception to kick off the exhibit on Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The art exhibit will be open from Oct. 27 to Nov. 21. For more information, call 910-433-2986.