Veterans from the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center Complete Fall Artmaking Session Painting Tiles with Studio Instructors from the Detroit Institute of Arts
Updated Nov 4, 2021
November 4, 2021 (DETROIT) Participants in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Community Group Program from the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center recently completed a fall art-making session with instructors from the DIA’s studio. The painted tile murals they created will be included in the museum’s 13th Annual Community Group Art Exhibition opening online next month.
"It's always a highlight for studio staff to work with our longtime Midtown partners at the VA,” said Byron Nemela, Studio Programs Coordinator. “Every session is a chance to try something new, and to learn something from those who have served.”
The DIA has partnered with the VA for over 20 years through the Community Group Program in the museum’s art-making studio. Typically, veterans come to the DIA for a series of classes in fall and spring, to see art in the galleries and make their own art in the studio. This past year, the DIA partnered with the VA with online classes, using tile-making materials dropped off for the veterans.
Painting tiles has been a theme for the veterans group this year. They began painting individual tiles earlier in the year, then participants collaborated on a tile mural showcasing themes of growth and renewal. Veterans mounted and framed the tiles, which will be permanently displayed at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.
During the fall art-making session the veterans worked with their own series of tiles, painting groupings based on current events, personal interests, and their own individual healing journeys.
Work done this year by veterans in this program will be displayed in the DIA’s 13th Annual Community Group Art Exhibition, held online again this year. The exhibition opens December 3 and will include images, audio and video, with veterans sharing in their own words the ideas behind their work.
“I cannot tell you how cool this is for me to see our veterans gain empowerment by normalizing this experience in the midst of a world pandemic,” said Shelley Knoodle, VA art therapist. “The DIA studio staff are providing an empathic rapport as we all adjust. "
This DIA’s partnership with the VA is just one of many with human service agencies throughout the tri-counties, providing meaningful experiences through art, and creating a safe, nurturing space for participants’ creative expression.
November 4, 2021 (DETROIT) Participants in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Community Group Program from the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center recently completed a fall art-making session with instructors from the DIA’s studio. The painted tile murals they created will be included in the museum’s 13th Annual Community Group Art Exhibition opening online next month.
"It's always a highlight for studio staff to work with our longtime Midtown partners at the VA,” said Byron Nemela, Studio Programs Coordinator. “Every session is a chance to try something new, and to learn something from those who have served.”
The DIA has partnered with the VA for over 20 years through the Community Group Program in the museum’s art-making studio. Typically, veterans come to the DIA for a series of classes in fall and spring, to see art in the galleries and make their own art in the studio. This past year, the DIA partnered with the VA with online classes, using tile-making materials dropped off for the veterans.
Painting tiles has been a theme for the veterans group this year. They began painting individual tiles earlier in the year, then participants collaborated on a tile mural showcasing themes of growth and renewal. Veterans mounted and framed the tiles, which will be permanently displayed at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.
During the fall art-making session the veterans worked with their own series of tiles, painting groupings based on current events, personal interests, and their own individual healing journeys.
Work done this year by veterans in this program will be displayed in the DIA’s 13th Annual Community Group Art Exhibition, held online again this year. The exhibition opens December 3 and will include images, audio and video, with veterans sharing in their own words the ideas behind their work.
“I cannot tell you how cool this is for me to see our veterans gain empowerment by normalizing this experience in the midst of a world pandemic,” said Shelley Knoodle, VA art therapist. “The DIA studio staff are providing an empathic rapport as we all adjust. "
This DIA’s partnership with the VA is just one of many with human service agencies throughout the tri-counties, providing meaningful experiences through art, and creating a safe, nurturing space for participants’ creative expression.