As part of the Voices project, 92 For 22 created a collective work called Unit of Connections. This veteran-based nonprofit raises awareness for the mental and physical struggles of those who have served our country by organizing an annual, 92-mile community walk to help lower the national average of veteran suicides per day from 22 to 0, through awareness and financial support.
This year, the group also sponsored an art workshop packed with enthusiastic veterans and their families as an extension of their work. At the workshop, participants had the opportunity to honor their military heroes through art. Grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren gathered to paint red, white, and blue designs on the 4-inch wooden tiles.
Each unique, hand-painted tile represents a personal story to honor those who served. Some tiles display the names of fallen heroes, the ones who gave their all. Other tiles depict religious and patriotic symbols. This veteran-based piece communicates the necessity of maintaining a community—a Unit of Connections—to grow in emotional resilience and mental health. The formation of the tiles collaged together reveals 92 For 22’s hopeful message: “FOR THOSE STILL FIGHTING AFTER THE WAR.”
The Voices Project at ArtPrize
September 15 to October 2, 2022
Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
A special thanks to Kent County Veterans Services, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, The Home Depot, PlexiCase Inc., Moonlight Graphics Inc., Frames Unlimited, and Healing in Arts for making this collaboration of veteran stories possible.
