Patriot Art Foundation helps Charleston Veterans find healing on the canvas.

The Patriot Art Foundation, an organization that was founded on the principles of providing free education and materials to Veterans who desire to use art as a conduit for self-expression, connection, and purpose, hosts two-hour art sessions at the North Charleston VA Outpatient Clinic each week. A local artist from the area teaches the class and helps foster the sense of community with Charleston Veterans.

“I’ve been working with these students for about eight or nine months at this point,” said Anne Weld, a U.S. Navy Veteran and Charleston artist that has volunteered to teach Veterans how to paint. “I like that the students get a concept and grasp for the simple tools they need to draw, to build their confidence in expressing themselves. It’s a privilege, we have this instant connection, there’s a bond and camaraderie that Veterans share.”

The VA at both a national and local level supports Creative Art Therapies and recreational classes, like the one Weld teaches, as part of their National Recreation Therapy Services. Once Veterans take part in Patriot Art Foundation programs, they are provided free education and materials that help them to continue to use art as a pathway of healing or to pursue more clinical art programs like the ones the VA offers.

“I’ve been drawing and tinkering around for years but I’ve never known the technical side of it,” said Thomas H. Brown, a U.S. Army Veteran and student in the art classes. “I would be sitting in class as a kid and not paying attention, but I would sure be drawing. I love it. I use my imagination and draw these landscapes; it puts my mind away from the things that stress me out and puts me at ease.”

According to the VA website, research supports the effectiveness of creative arts therapies interventions in many areas, including overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement. Creative arts therapies further help patients to increase motivation to become engaged in treatment, provide emotional support for Veterans and their families, and create an outlet for expression of feelings. Research results and clinical experiences attest to the positive outcomes that can result from creative arts therapies, and especially for those who are resistive to other treatment approaches.

“I love coming in here every week to work with these Veterans,” Weld said. “It takes you away from the bad days at work, or the bad things going on in life. It doesn’t even have to be a major tragedy, just something you need to get out of your head. Picking up that brush or pencil and losing yourself in your creativity can really clear the cobwebs out. It gives you a perspective and escape from whatever is bothering you.”

Along with their VA art classes, the Patriot Art Foundation also offers a Watercolor Bootcamp, features an art focused podcast for and by Veterans, and hosts an annual Art of Valor event. 

Art from Veterans that have participated in their programs can be found on their website along with information for any artists interested in volunteering to lead art classes for Veterans: https://www.patriotartfoundation.org/veteran-art/