Through Creative Arts Therapies Veterans are Victorious

This innovative approach to healing offers a unique avenue for expression, relief, and recovery, resonating deeply with those who have served in the military.

Army Vietnam Vet, Royal Laplander, who used therapy to squash his PTSD demons, reveled in the art and shared how they spoke to him. 

“When I look around this is about peace and quiet,” he said. “This is an example of the healing process.”

For many Veterans, articulating traumatic experiences can be an overwhelming task. Creative Arts therapy provides a powerful non-verbal means of expression, allowing individuals to communicate and process their thoughts and emotions through creative mediums. This form of therapy empowers Veterans to explore feelings that may be too complex or painful to express in words.

In a two-day exhibition at SAVAHCS, Veterans staff and the community was invited to behold the wonder of Veterans creative expression. 

Veteran artists are a community all-year round, but the competition is once a year. At the local competition, any Veteran who wins a ribbon has their art piece is submitted to the national competition. 

“There is something at stake here,” said Creative Arts Therapist Miranda Blakeslee. “Each year I’ve worked at Tucson, we've sent Veterans to nationals, and some have won.”

Engaging in artistic activities can lead to increased self-esteem and a renewed sense of personal worth for Veterans. Many discover a meaningful creative vocation through the creative arts therapies, which enhances their confidence and encourages them to pursue other interests and activities.

While this artistic sociability that drew Laplander to see the arts pieces, it was fellow Veteran Peter Bourret who’s inspired him to pursue creative writing. Bourret has written books and won on the national level. Ironically, the were two Tucsonan youth who only met a few years ago, even though their high schools were miles apart and they were station in Vietnam in relative proximity. 

Art therapy stands as a beacon of hope for Veterans navigating the challenges of post-service life. Laplander reminds us that every Veteran has a story to tell. Annually that can be expressed through creative arts competition.  

Jaison Bloom, Public Affairs Officer

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