For the past six years, we have had the privilege of creating art alongside veterans and listening to their stories.
What began as an opportunity to make art has grown into something much more. In our Art of Resilience program, veterans come together throughout the year to create, connect, and build relationships. Some arrive ready to participate. Others need time to feel comfortable. There is no pressure to be an artist or to share a story.
We have learned that often the most important part isn’t what happens on the canvas. What changes lives is what happens around the table.
This year, we are honored to feature 22 individual veteran artists and 9 collaborative veteran groups at ArtPrize. Their paintings, sculptures, photographs, mixed-media pieces, and installations tell stories of service, sacrifice, loss, strength, healing, and hope.
The exhibit also includes 250 Years, 250 Stories, a collaborative installation made from 250 hand-painted tiles honoring veterans, military families, and America’s 250th anniversary.
When we bring the artwork to Veterans Memorial Park, something else happens. Veterans who created quietly in a workshop suddenly see people stopping to look at their work, reading their stories, asking questions, and thanking them. Their experiences are seen and valued by the community.
That public connection matters.
We are deeply grateful to the veteran organizations throughout West Michigan that work alongside us, to the National Endowment for the Arts, and to the many partners, donors, volunteers, and veteran artists who make this program possible.
We invite the community to join us for our Opening Day Celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, September 19, from 10:30–11:00 a.m. The ceremony will include the Presentation of Colors by Innovation Central High School JROTC, recognition of our veteran artists, special music, and a Quilts of Valor presentation.
For us, Art of Resilience is more than an exhibit. It is about creating a place where veterans can be seen, heard, connected, and reminded that their stories still matter.
Art brings us together. Connection helps us move forward.