This small art show in Wichita has big meaning for veterans
The 2nd annual Veterans Art Show happening Friday, Feb. 28, at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a relatively small show but it has a big meaning for participating artists.
“Our mission is to provide a sacred space to honor veterans’ narratives through the creative arts,” said Christina Vasquez, a certified art therapist who has worked in the field for 19 years, including the last three at the Dole VA Medical Center.
Vasquez has been working to establish a more vibrant art therapy program in response to veterans asking for the service.
Art therapy at the local VA center is used in a variety of ways by behavioral health and other clinicians as well as specialty programs, Vasquez said. Creating art can help veterans regain fine motor skills, overcome symptoms of PTSD, provide a way to express themselves through a more positive outlet and more.
“Just because you’ve been through so much, doesn’t mean you’re damaged beyond repair,” said Jennifer Trzicky-Lervold, a Navy veteran who served in the Gulf War and survived military sexual trauma. She started creating art about a year ago through one of the VA’s programs but three months ago she delved deeper into creating art as a positive way to express herself, she said.
“After about the sixth time I wanted to end my life, I found my mind racing and … this was a way to calm myself down,” she said.
Painting allows her to channel anger and frustration by splashing colors on a canvas or it allows her to get lost in being mindful and creative, Trzicky-Lervold said.
Not all veterans who are creating art at the local VA have suffered trauma and use art as therapy, Vasquez said. Some simply enjoy art, and the popular art hobby group that meets weekly is evidence of that.
At the Feb. 28 show, veterans of all skill levels will showcase some of their works, with some winners getting the chance to move on to participate in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in November in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Veterans could enter works into five categories — visual arts, creative writing, dance, drama or music. Works created within the past year are eligible to compete to go on to the national festival, but older works could also be entered in a separate track, Vasquez said.
Most of this year’s entrants are in the visual arts category, Vasquez said, with entries including a quilt, metalwork, paintings in oils and acrylics and more. There are several entries in the creative writing division, as well, and two performances: a stand-up comedy routine and a tribute to Doctor Who.
The Veterans Art Show is supported by a grant from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation, which is also a sponsor for the national festival.
2nd annual Veterans Art Show
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28; includes live music and a 1 p.m. awards ceremony
Where: Building 4 Auditorium, Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 5500 E. Kellogg Drive
Admission: Free
More information: facebook.com/events/2559415530764511
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 5:01 AM.