TriCities/Richland Readiness Center

For the TriCities/Richland Readiness Center in Washington, artist Gregg Schlanger created Camaraderie, a series of 14 laminated glass artworks celebrating the relationships and shared experiences that connect National Guard soldiers, their families, and their communities. Featuring portraits of laughing soldiers and family members layered over a 1947 map of Washington State, the installation explores themes of camaraderie, friendship, and belonging. As Gregg explains in his artist statement, “Laughter is one thing that unifies us all.”

Goldray worked closely with Gregg to explore how portraits, maps, and colour could interact within laminated glass. The design used multiple visual layers to create depth and allow imagery, colour, and transparency to work together as part of the viewing experience.

The portraits were created using halftone imagery, preserving transparency so the historic map remains visible behind them. Colour samples and test pieces helped refine the final palette, while etched low-iron glass softened the view of the wall behind each panel, enhancing the artwork's layered appearance and visual depth.

The completed installation transforms moments of laughter into a permanent public artwork that is both personal and universally relatable. Mounted using FHC standoff hardware, “Camaraderie” demonstrates how thoughtful collaboration between artist and fabricator can translate a creative vision into an engaging architectural glass installation that invites visitors to reflect on their own experiences of friendship, community, and connection.