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 veteran 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 bloomed into interdisciplinary arts programming.

The Arts Council will take over the Creative Forces program starting in 2025, working directly with our service members. We are 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.

How Creative Forces Began

The Power of Expression

On the Mend

If you are a veteran interested in Creative Forces, please contact Bryan Ewers at bryanewers1@gmail.com. Once you are established with your veteran mentor, the Arts Council will help in signing you up for classes.