Veterans and active-duty service members showcase artwork
For immediate release: April 17, 2018
Mesa Arts Center to Showcase Artwork by Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members
Arts in Service program offers free arts classes for veterans and active service members
Media Contact:
Casey Blake
480-644-6620
Please Note:
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This art exhibition is the culmination of the positive impact this program has on our heroes by providing an outlet to deal with PTSD and a like-minded community to help them successfully reintegrate into society and the workforce.”
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Blogger Note: On 06 November 2017 Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center had this to say:
"We are so excited to develop our programs to further engage those who serve our country," . . . There is tremendous evidence from both research and experience that the arts offer many kinds of therapeutic benefits, from reducing feelings of isolation to providing new means of self-expression, in addition to offering fun, relaxation, and creative exploration."
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(Mesa, AZ) – Mesa Arts Center (MAC) will host a free exhibition of artwork by veterans and active-duty service members on May 4, 5-7 p.m. in the Drawing and Painting Studio at MAC, a culminating event to celebrate the work of participants in the Arts in Service program. The program, which is generously supported by a grant from The Boeing Company, provides creative pathways for veterans and active duty service members to use studio arts experiences in reaching their personal goals, whether those are finding a supportive community, stress relief, working toward overall health and wellness, or pursuing career interests in art making.
“The Arts in Service program is valuable for many reasons,” said United States Air Force Veteran and Arts in Service participant, Caryn Walsh. “Being in a group of veterans who share the experience of military service is indescribable. Seeing my peers with service-related injuries, and stresses alongside me means many things. Not having to explain my experiences which define me and are, frankly, unrelatable to the majority of Americans is a relief... I feel comfortable to learn what I can, at my own speed.”
To date, nearly 70 individuals have participated in Arts in Service arts classes offered through the program.
Classes include welding, ceramics, watercolor, jewelry and flameworking.
Work created by the program participants will be on display during the exhibition.
“Boeing is proud to support our veterans and active military members in Arizona by investing in community programs such as Arts in Service,” said Boeing Arizona Community Investor Mary Baldwin.
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ABOUT MESA ARTS CENTER
The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Owned and operated by the City of Mesa, Arizona’s largest arts center is recognized as an international award-winning venue. The unique and architecturally stunning facility is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios and an artist cooperative gallery. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.
ABOUT THE ARIZONA COALITION OF MILITARY FAMILIES
The Arizona Coalition for Military Families is a nationally-recognized public/private partnership focused on building Arizona’s statewide capacity to care for and support all service members, veterans and their families. For more information, visit arizonacoalition.org.
Mesa Arts Center is a partner organization on the Military/Veteran Resource Network, in partnership with the Arizona Coalition for Military Families.
ABOUT BOEING
Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, Boeing and its employees support innovative partnerships and programs that align with our strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide. This includes improving access to globally competitive learning as well as workforce and skills development, and supporting our military and veteran communities. In 2017, Boeing and its employees contributed more than $167 million to improve communities across the globe.
Casey Blake
Director of Public Relations
Mesa Arts Center
Office 480.644.6620│Cell 480.390.1258
