videos
See stories of veterans, artists, therapists, and community arts organizations who serve the veteran community.
Documentaries of Veterans and the Arts
The following videos highlight unique and impactful arts experiences that amplify both the importance of art in healing and rehabilitation and the importance of the link between the arts therapeutic community and the arts community at large, as a way to span the distance between the treatment place and the creative space. This continuation of the art experience serves as a modality for healing, inner peace, and life enrichment.
Expressive Arts for Veterans:
Therapists and Artists
The VetArtSpan team visits two VA hospitals to talk with art and music therapists, musicians in residence, volunteers, and administrators about the impact of music and art on the veteran community. Expressive art therapists approach their clients with goals to provide specific outcomes, while artists in residence and volunteers focus on providing a moment of joy and creativity. Both therapists and artists share a mission to increase the quality of life for the veteran community.
Thanks to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, for participating in this VetArtSpan project, featuring your host Fred Johnson.
Women Veterans: Part 1 –
The Creative Journey Home
The journey home can take a long time for our veterans who transition back into civilian life. VetArtSpan host Fred Johnson interviews a group of women veterans who have embraced creative expression as a way to smooth their unique reintegration process.
Many of these women are involved in the Diavolo Dance project, in conjunction with Straz Salutes. This two-part story was recorded at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL, as part of the VetArtSpan initiative.
Women Veterans: Part 2 –
The Creative Journey Home
The journey home can take a long time for our veterans who transition back into civilian life. In Part 2 of this work, VetArtSpan host Fred Johnson interviews a group of women veterans who have embraced creative expression as a way to smooth their unique reintegration process.
As in Part 1 of this story, many of these women are involved in the Diavolo Dance project, in conjunction with Straz Salutes. This two-part story was recorded at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL, as part of the VetArtSpan initiative.
Operation: Art of Valor
Morean Arts Center Hot Shop
The VetArtSpan team spent a dynamic morning with a group of veterans who were creating a team-based glass sculpture – from concept to finished product. Moving together as one, handling the 2000 degree glass helps them stay in the “now” moment. They tell the story of art as a healing force in their own words. The program’s mission is to serve the military and veteran population through structured, hands-on learning that focuses on improving cognition, social interaction, physical dexterity, teamwork, and confidence.
