Our mission

OUR MISSION: The Veteran Arts 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 community. 

The Veteran Arts Showcase is much more than an art show. We have workshops, performances and music all weekend long. We welcome attendance by memebers of the civilian community to foster an understanding of the issues that veterans face long after their service ends.

For more information , contact:

George Laws: (914) 522-5518 veteranartsshowcase@gmail.com

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Some of the work previously shown  

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Warrior Art: Healing Invisible Wounds

The creative arts are a non-threatening, person centered modality that encourages people to use their creativity to gain insight and understanding into the issues that challenge their lives in a manner that respects their  individual  needs, personal histories, and present day concerns. 

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Art Therapy can help with PTSD

To this end, the outpatient art therapy program at the VA Hudson Valley Montrose campus provides a safe space for veterans to engage in creative art making. This process can be used  both for relaxation, or when words are hard to find, as a means to help veterans gain a clearer understanding of and then heal from difficult military experiences.

For example memories of trauma in veterans with PTSD  are stored in the visual (non-verbal) portion of the brain putting traditional talk therapies at a disadvantage. It is, however, highly accessible to techniques employing visual imagery such as art therapy.  Creating this imagery can itself be therapeutic as well as being a springboard for  further  more in depth exploration and  discussion. No prior art experience is necessary to participate. 

As veterans  become more familiar with the process, bringing their art and experiences to the larger community presents an opportunity for them to show their creative work and begin an expanded conversation with other veterans, their families, and the civilian world.

ABOUT THE VETERAN ARTS SHOWCASE 

The Veteran Arts Showcase features visual artists, crafters, writers, poets, musicians, and performers who are active duty military, veterans, or their family members.

We especially encourage the civilian community to join us in this vital celebration of current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families. Visitors can experience powerful and unique interpretations of multiple arts, navigating connections between war and community. Information and demonstrations on effective therapies for PTSD will be on display.

This year we have workshops, performances and music all weekend long. Tell everyone you know, this is more than just an Art Show!

ABOUT EXPRESSIVE THERAPY

Expressive Therapies utilize the creative process as a form of therapy. Creative, artistic, and expressive therapies such as writing, art and music are used to help people communicate in ways that traditional talk therapies cannot.

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The Art Therapy Programs at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, Montrose Campus have a long-standing reputation for encouraging veterans to engage in the creative process as a method of relaxation and/or to help understand and heal from traumatic experiences where words are difficult to find.

ALL THIS IS NOT NEW !​

Ancient Egyptians encouraged artistic activity as a means of self-expression. The Greek and Roman Empires incorporated the restorative and informative properties of drama and music within their militaristic societies. During the Renaissance it was determined that the imagination played a role in health and well-being; the importance of dance and play to growth and development was discovered. Native Americans have been aware of the benefits of expressive therapy to reintegrate warriors back into the community for thousands of years. Research indicates the simple act of drumming or taking a photograph is beneficial.

The Veteran Arts Showcase is more than an art show, it’s goal it to demonstrate the ways in which we can utilize the process of creation to support and enhance veteran’s lives.

A special thanks to the Orange County NY Arts Council, The Art Effect in Poughkeepsie, and especially the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Historic Hyde Park.