Our veterans are truly special people. There are not many places in our society where individuals declare their willingness to sacrifice their lives for others. Many of our veterans bring wounds home. Some of these wounds never heal and these individuals’ active service extends to the rest of their lives. And for some, the pain is so unbearable they struggle to stay alive. We all know the statistics.
Art for the Journey’s mission compels us to reach out to veterans and offer something both simple and potentially profound: the creative experience of art-making within a circle of engagement and friendship. The research on the impact of such activity on well-being and healing is undeniable. Not only can creativity improve a life, it can save a life.
Our Veterans Art Program is failure proof. It brings engagement, calm and joy every time.
“One of my female veterans made a comment after finishing a project that she didn’t need to take her pain medication. During the session, her mind focused on the project and allowed her to not experience pain. This is powerful!” – Freda Sergi, Certified Recreation Therapeutic Specialist, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital, Richmond VA.
Detailed Description:
This project, in partnership with the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, VA promotes healing and hope among Veterans with PTSD and Disabilities. It does so by drawing them into a creative community of art-making.
It is well established that art-making contributes to wellbeing and healing. The NEA Military Healing Arts Network (https://www.arts.gov/national-initiatives/creative-forces) promotes placing creative arts therapies at the core of patient-centered care in all military medical facilities.
Art for the Journey is bringing a range of art-making experiences to up to 80 veterans per year who suffer with PTSD and combat-related disabilities. Programs take place at the hospital, at the Virginia War Memorial and at our studio in Midlothian, VA. On September 19, 2018 we held our first formal exhibition of this art at the Veterans Hospital. Veteran-artists, their families, members of the public and VA staff attended the event. TV CBS 6 coverage of the event in Richmond, VA is available here: http://via.wtvr.com/QXVhb.
We are seeking funding to sustain monthly art events and to bring exhibitions of veterans' art to many locations throughout the Richmond community.
