Those who serve and have served our military go through a great deal of psychological stress. The impact of combat is often life damaging.
There is a great program that allows our war heroes express their feelings – and that is through art.
There is a call for artists who serve and have served in the military to participate and display their expressions at the Third Annual Veteran Arts Showcase. The deadline to participate is Monday October 5, 2015.
Veterans and Military Members from the entire Hudson Valley and beyond participate.
The Veteran Arts Showcase is a celebration of the arts and how they heal, communicate emotions, compel people to interact with each other, and motivate people to live fuller lives.
Now in its third year, the Showcase covers a variety of subjects and topics and features visual artists, crafters, writers, poets, musicians and performers who are veterans, family members of veterans, or military connected.
The Showcase will be held at the FDR Presidential Library/Wallace Center on Route 9, Hyde Park, New York, November 20, 21 and 22. It is free and open to the public.
From Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, approximately one hundred paintings and sculptures by more three dozen artists will be on display.
The Opening Reception and Ceremony will be on Friday November 20, 2015 from 5:30-8:30pm – refreshments will be served.
A Presentation of Colors will be followed by inspirational speakers, and 90 minutes of original music and poetry including Natalie Lovejoy, former army spouse and composer of the musical Deployed, veteran poetry and songs by Larry Winters, Katelyn Sheehan, and Jennifer Pacanowski, and music and community rhythm circle led by Chrys Ballerano (Chrysalis Coaching, and Surviving Spirit.)
Throughout the weekend, visitors will experience a unique and powerful co-mingling of multiple arts that touch our deepest connections to war and community.
Saturday and Sunday there will be workshops and open discussions between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM, including: visual art exhibits; a writers workshop for veterans and military families; open civilian-veteran discussions on the aftereffects of war and the healing power of the arts; fly-tying demonstrations; film and lecture on underwater photography; and readings by veteran poets and authors.
The weekend’s events will culminate on Sunday afternoon with The Veterans’ Theater Project: Leaving Theater, a civilian and veteran theatrical troop performing an interactive play with the audience that focuses on veteran reintegration.
The Showcase is sponsored by Creative Warriors, Orange County Arts Council, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, and the Veteran Family Support Alliance (VETFAMSA). The Showcase was founded on the understanding that the arts are vital to veteran reintegration – for self-expression, recovery from the aftereffects of war and to reconnect with the civilian-veteran community.
For program times and updates, or to make a donation to support the veteran artists contact Dr. Lori Arella at (845) 226-4218.
For more information please visit – www.VETFAMSA.org
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.