Support for veterans through art is proving to be a viable healing process for those who have fought for our country through many wars.  Even in small towns and communities, concerned citizens and veterans are finding these programs to be an effective tool in connecting with those who have served.  One such program was created and is now a fully functional system in the Helen area.

Such programs with resolute local veterans can be of help nationally, and the program there needs to be replicated in many places. This is a fitting example of how local citizens can show appreciation for the service of local veterans, and how they can band together to overcome obstacles.

Ron Hill, a member of the Board of Directors of the Helen Arts and Heritage Center and past CEO/Founder of two Nationally recognized art and craft schools, has demonstrated a visible passion for veterans’ programs of all sizes. Hill is a retired Army Sergeant Major/Captain and veteran of the Korean War, Vietnam War, and was recalled for Desert Storm.

During Hill’s term as director of the Helen Arts Center, he recognized the need for an art program for area veterans. He contacted the CEO of the Help Heal Veterans (HHV) organization which provides therapeutic arts and crafts kits for veterans, and secured funding from HHV the funding included salary for a full-time arts program director/instructor to distribute the kits and provide instruction to veterans.

This was a well-attended free weekly program for Veterans, their spouse and/or care providers for several years. The new leadership of HHV terminated the funding. However, the many veterans wished for continuation of the program, so Lisa Cahill (MFA Art Therapy) the program Director/Instructor continues on a volunteer basis to conduct well attended weekly art programs at Bridge Church in Cleveland.

Undeterred by the defunding, Hill authored the articles of incorporation and bylaws forming the Veteran Arts Program of Northeast Georgia (VAPNG). He then successfully filed with the State of Georgia and IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization.

This new organization is totally funded by local residents for art supplies and other expenses. There are no paid employees of the organization. As a recognized nonprofit the program goals are to continue to thrive in White County; provide outreach programs in Habersham, Banks, Stephens, Franklin, Rabun, Towns, Union, Fannin, and Gilmer counties. The organization also plans to extend its reach beyond Northeast Georgia to other counties with a high Veteran population.

The Veterans Art Program of Northeast Georgia (VAPNG) is a community-based arts organization serving veterans, spouses, dependents, their caregivers, and the community through process-driven, Deep Arts Engagement (DAE) and Art Therapy.

DAE with Art Therapy options provides a process-intensive arts encounter proven to help Veterans (some with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sex trauma) find their voice, and work through the life-changing process of transitioning from military to civilian life.

VAPNG offers free classes in the process-heavy art disciplines of ceramics, clay, woodworking, and other.

“We work tirelessly to connect military veteran families and civilians through sharing art making in a safe, welcoming, relaxed, and fun environment,” Hill said. “This engagement is also equitable: we offer open enrollment access to free art classes that take place in Cleveland taught by artists of all cultural/social backgrounds with and without MFA’s. We offer artistic support, development, and dignified display of completed artworks. These dignified displays help include the greater civilian community through artist/participant presentation.”

“Our force impact is to create leadership opportunities to lead the arts, wellness, and community development at the Northeast Georgia level,” Hill said. “At VAPNG we listen to images, so we may lead by actions.”

   This information is courtesy of the Veterans Art Project at vetart.org.

Read The Northeast Georgian, Cornelia, Georgia

Mailing Address: 2440 Old Athens Hwy Cornelia, GA 30531

Phone: 706-778-4215 Fax: 706-778-4114

© 2022 The Northeast Georgian, Cornelia, Georgia