Mesa Arts Center Announces Arts in Service Program for Veterans and Service Members

Mesa Arts Center today announced its newest Engagement program, Arts in Service. Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, Mesa Arts Center will provide creative pathways for veterans and active duty 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.

"We are so excited to develop our programs to further engage those who serve our country," said Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center. "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."

In previous workshops conducted by Mesa Arts Center Studios for veterans, participants voiced their appreciation for the benefits of their experiences. "The Art Retreat at Mesa Art Center was such a needed event for me. To experience a new way to channel my anxiety into something positive was very precious to me. I am still picking up the drawing supplies when I feel overwrought, and I still talk with Gwen Stine, my instructor. This is one of the few veteran events that was up my alley, as I'm not really into sports. Thank you for allowing me to participate!" -Participant, retired USAF

Mandy Tripoli, Director of Community-Engaged Practice at Mesa Arts Center said of the program, "We are excited to launch the Arts in Service program as a partner organization on the Military/Veteran Resource Network, in partnership with the Arizona Coalition for Military Families. This partnership, along with the generous support from The Boeing Company, will help us elevate the program and share arts experiences with our military/veteran communities."

"Boeing supports our veterans and active military members by investing in community programs such as Arts in Service, which eliminate barriers and create pathways for our heroes and their families to successfully reintegrate back into society and our workforce," said Boeing Arizona Community Investor Mary Baldwin.

Arts in Service studio art classes at Mesa Arts Center will begin in spring of 2018. Studio art classes will be made available for free to veterans and service members. Mesa Arts Center will host an Arts in Service Open House for veterans, service members and their families to explore the studios, try various art forms and meet studio instructors in the winter of 2018. To inquire about these opportunities, email engagement@mesaartscenter.com. https://www.mesaartscenter.com/artsinservice.

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