Community Building Art Works

Population specific workshop programming consists of short-term and enduring workshop series of all genres designed exclusively for active duty military and veterans; or military families and caregivers. Participants in these programs are introduced to the arts as a tool for self-care and resilience. These programs are a safe entry point for veterans and military-connected people to begin expressing the inexpressible. Having their self-expression witnessed by others with common experiences is powerful, expansive, healing, and often life-changing.

Events are opportunities for selected participants, typically from the population-specific programs, to share their artwork and stories with the general public. These events are open to the public at a low-cost or are free, and always include an opportunity for artists and members of the public to connect and mingle. For the artist participants, the benefit is to be acknowledged and seen; and for members of the public, there is an opportunity to build empathy and connect with other stories, and through them perhaps connect more deeply with their own stories. The capstone in-person event, a day of belonging, is held each year in bethesda, maryland.