Veteran and former Arts Council Board Member, Neal Joiner, established a partnership with the Cape VA’s Whole Health Program in 2023. He wanted to teach an oil painting class to fellow veterans, so the VA committed to filling the class and providing the supplies and we offered to host it in our gallery space. It took very little time to realize just how special this program was.

Before the first session had even ended, more painting classes were scheduled. Another VA member learned about the art classes and requested to teach beginner guitar lessons, so that was added to the calendar as well. Not long after, our Director began offering yoga classes, and that’s when this partnership with the VA bloomed into interdisciplinary arts programming.

The Arts Council is honored to be able to provide a space for veterans to heal, learn, and have fun. We believe in the power of community, and Creative Forces is a prime example of how coming together in the name of art can truly change lives.

During painting class, individuals learn the basics of painting with oil. Once they have learned the practice, they are encouraged to use their creative freedom to manipulate their image as they explore color mixing, application, and the healing nature of painting.