CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Veterans find creative sides, therapy through art

Peoria Independent - 2/28/2018

Each February, the Arizona American Legion Auxiliary co-sponsors Veterans Creative Arts Festivals in conjunction with the Arizona VA Medical Centers in Tucson, Phoenix and Prescott. The competitions feature more than 150 categories in art, music, dance, drama and creative writing, and the festivals are part of the VA's recreation therapy program designed to assist both inpatients and outpatients who are suffering as a result of disease, disability or life crisis.

But for some veterans, like retired Seabee Builder Chief Jackie Ricker, there is value in simply expressing and honing a chosen craft and spending time with other veterans.

Ms. Ricker, who is from a military family, was in the Navy for more than 30 years.

"My grandmother was a Marine in WWII," she proudly begins as she lists her family's contributions to the U.S. Military.

She enjoys the detailed effort required to create her mixed media art and spending time with other veterans who "speak the same language." She won first place in the Applied Art-Mixed media category this year with her creation entitled "Last Call."

For other veterans, like G. Colon, the participation is therapeutically life-saving. Sergeant Colon served nine years, overseas and in the U.S., in logistical administration support for troop movements.

"I was going through some dark times as a result of experiences that occurred during my service and was not adjusting well to civilian life," Ms. Colon explained.

Fortunately, she sought help and her contact at the Phoenix VA suggested she get involved in art. Ms. Colon found that reconnecting with something she loved before going into the service helped her transition through her trauma.

"If it were not for getting involved in art, I really think I would be living on the streets somewhere by now," she stated.

Ms. Colon won first place in 2006 for her first competitive submission into the Veterans Creative Art Festival, and has been creating ever since. This year she won first place for her Applied Art-Glazed Ceramics entry.

There were more than 75 entries in this year's Phoenix competition. The entry that won both the Best of Show and People's Choice Award was a Group Art entry called "Warrior's Façade." Sixteen veterans contributed to 16 painted masks that were painted on both sides --each mask illustrating the dichotomy of a warrior's aspirational characteristics of truth, honor and courage against the realities of family separation, death and divorce. The entry seemed to communicate that the façade must become "transparent" to make the true warrior leader healthy and complete.

Awards for winning entries were presented by Dr. Beth Dietrich, head of the VA's Recreational Art program, RemaAnn Nelson, the VA Medical Center Director and Yolanda Bonilla, President of the Arizona American Legion Auxiliary. Ms. Bonilla thanked the attendees for their service and participation and wholeheartedly reminded them, "You are the whole reason we (the American Legion Auxiliary) exist. Thank you and please remember we are here for you."

Winners of the local Arizona Creative Arts Festival competitions will move on to regional, and potentially national, competitions. Last year, Arizona had four winners at the national competition held in Buffalo, New York. Those Arizona winners were First Place, Leathercraft?Tofe Eslava (who attended the national event); Second Place, Mosaic--J Cole-McCarter; Second Place, Multimedia video--S Garza and Third Place, novelty--M. Rosa Cummo. The 2018 National Creative Arts Festival is being held in Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 29?Nov. 5.

Last year, Arizona ALA members volunteered more than 175,000 hours of service to Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation. Arizona units contributed thousands of hours of service to the Veteran Health Care System in Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson. They hold annual "Christmas Shops" at these locations where hundreds of veterans shop, at no cost, for themselves and their loved ones. Arizona members donate clothing and personal care items to local veteran organizations such as Veterans Helping Veterans, Veterans First and Mary Ellen's Place.

They attend and contribute truckloads of clothing and other goods to supporting veterans. Last year, the Arizona American Legion Auxiliary donated more than $50,000 to Soldier's Best Friend, an organization that pairs rescue dogs with veterans. Efforts are now underway to launch an art program for women veterans in the Phoenix area. These described efforts just skim the surface of the work being done across Arizona by the American Legion Family.

Email ALAdeptAZpr@gmail.com.

Marge Christianson is a public relations volunteer with the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona, John J Morris Unit 62, Peoria.