A 2019 Veterans Affairs study found that approximately twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day. Our veterans need support and community to help them move forward. As a social practice artist, veteran spouse, and Navy mother, I’ve learned that art has potential to bring healing to anyone. In 2019, for the international ArtPrize event hosted in Grand Rapids, I first met with Kent County Veteran Services to discuss art initiatives aimed at helping veterans heal from the trauma they experienced while serving our country.
YELLOW RIBBON
Inspired by the tradition of tying yellow ribbons to trees as a way to welcome returning service members home, my Yellow Ribbon Project began as a series of workshops for veterans and their families. Participants painted and collaged paper over abstract tree structures. Parts of the veterans’ stories, which I collected while interviewing them, were included on the wooden sculptures. These stories quickly became connection points for veterans who identified with each other’s struggles, internal battles, and isolation. Visitors to the final exhibition could express their gratitude by writing notes on yellow ribbons. Over the next three years, we collected nearly 30,000 yellow ribbons, which were included in care packages to deployed soldiers
VOICES
With the success of the Yellow Ribbon, I pitched the Voices project, a new vision of filling Veterans Memorial Park with art created by veterans. The exhibit showcased the work of twenty-two veterans who served in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and during peacetime. Their exhibit raised awareness for their struggles with PTSD, military sexual trauma, veteran suicide, and alcohol or prescription drugs.
Initially, one artist turned down my invitation to participate, because he wanted to avoid the painful memories of his combat experience decades earlier. After he finally agreed to show his artwork and learned the stories of the other veterans, he realized he wasn’t alone. The experience allowed him and others to begin the recovery process together. It took courage for these veterans to be vulnerable in such a public setting, but the risk helped them find a new sense of belonging.
ART FOR HONOR
These previous exhibits provided a pathway for the next healing project: Art for Honor. For ArtPrize 2024, Art for Honor will continue to feature veteran artwork and stories at Veterans Memorial Park. This new project gives our heroes a chance to be heard and understood, and more importantly, it allows them to experience hope.
One veteran said, “The art project gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning and put my feet on the floor. This opportunity started my healing journey and gave me a sense of purpose.” When we reach out to understand each other, we can all use our unique gifts and experiences to help others move forward.
