tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833848951081780022024-02-07T22:59:34.686-05:00Vet Art ProjectThe Vet Art Project provides opportunities for veterans and their families to use creative arts to explore their experiences of war and service to foster storytelling and thereby attain a greater level of personal understanding, awareness, and peace.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-68255574748956176172014-05-02T11:36:00.002-04:002014-05-02T11:41:15.294-04:00Veteran Artists & Community Greet the Harry Donovan VALOR HOME Summit County 1st anniversary!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMfBEwQ4e1W1Sc_gWM7Ry8-4wLa_k75RcS-BgmliaDQN7dw7FjWLg3Hm3Qq6hnWMtwlqn-QsKCnu_du7q3n0OZumGFkPBdN-jRFTTTl9COOUd3lNaejVsMCEtf-fXeiNvz_ipBUBg7oY/s1600/P1010153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMfBEwQ4e1W1Sc_gWM7Ry8-4wLa_k75RcS-BgmliaDQN7dw7FjWLg3Hm3Qq6hnWMtwlqn-QsKCnu_du7q3n0OZumGFkPBdN-jRFTTTl9COOUd3lNaejVsMCEtf-fXeiNvz_ipBUBg7oY/s1600/P1010153.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">art.speak.heal exhibit at Tri-C featuring work by veteran artists at Valor Home</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On July 8th Valor Home Summit County will celebrate it's first anniversary. I'm planning an event for veteran artist residents to share their poetry, painting, music, and more with the community. The presentation of veterans art will be followed by a talkback. Details to come. Please send me an e-mail if you'd like to be kept in the loop on this or other events. That's vetartproject@gmail.com. Wishing you peace through art, Lisa</span>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-19996508593904680602014-02-04T08:47:00.002-05:002014-02-04T08:47:37.399-05:002014 and new directions!I can't believe it's been a year since I last posted. Many new and wonderful things have happened indeed! The Women Warriors Project continues to grow strong in the Midwest. I've devoted much of my time and attention to working with veterans who are homeless and there are a number of creative arts projects in the works. I completed by training and am now a Registered Drama Therapist. More soon--off to do a group!Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-18860465917438417812013-01-02T10:42:00.003-05:002013-01-02T10:55:55.446-05:00Where to BEGIN in the NEW Year: An UpdateIt's a new year and so much has happened since my last post I'm not sure where to begin. The Vet Art Project is going strong with a contract to provide creative art therapeutic services to Family & Community Services for all their veterans programming. Currently we offer drama therapy, art therapy, and creative writing & poetry therapy at a residence for veterans who are homeless in Kent, Ohio. Another residence will open in the first quarter of this new year and we'll provide therapeutic services there, too. More residences are planned in other cities in Northeast Ohio in the coming year, too, and we'll provide program in these locations as well.<br />
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I offered a therapeutic theater program at the VA in Parma for 10 weeks last Fall and that was successful--perhaps the first program of its kind offered IN network. This program was supported by an outside grant.<br />
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The Women Warriors Project continues to reach out to women veterans and women who have supported our veterans and current service members--approaching it's one year anniversary in NE Ohio!<br />
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And I've been invited to present a paper at the 9th International Congress of Qualitative Research to share changes in feelings of empowerment among veterans who participate in therapeutic programming offered by the Vet Art Project. So I am working to help drama therapy and creative arts therapeutic programming gain the attention and respect it deserves.<br />
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The Vet Art Project Chicago continues to offer quarterly showcases and Vet Art Project Pittsburgh is revving up with more programming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4-0vOYGtL60czqfyYGmu3dcpneL1BVkJQb4T4fvdI9xESkMv7Z_oXW09RMUjdlIjeoXH9y7PQ25fQYsBLvsKOHqkf83E31mi1G-2zBbHA0W1yITqiLwi4zBMNDgzGgy6Sd-4AFevMA0/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4-0vOYGtL60czqfyYGmu3dcpneL1BVkJQb4T4fvdI9xESkMv7Z_oXW09RMUjdlIjeoXH9y7PQ25fQYsBLvsKOHqkf83E31mi1G-2zBbHA0W1yITqiLwi4zBMNDgzGgy6Sd-4AFevMA0/s320/P1010011.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Hope</span></td></tr>
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Thanks to everyone who has supported and continues to support this project. Donations can be made in support of this project through the Web site <a href="http://vetartproject.com/">vetartproject.com</a> and contributions are tax-deductible through our national fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas (link on the site). A lot of changes and a lot of good growth for us all--thanks for your kindnesses! Wishing you all peace through art!Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-90813113914710668742012-08-12T06:14:00.000-04:002012-08-12T06:16:09.780-04:00The Women Warriors Project returns!This coming Tuesday evening the Women Warriors Project will reconvene for the month of August. Meeting one evening each month we use creative arts therapy techniques to share our stories and our lives with other women who've served in the military or in supportive roles to those who serve whether as a partner or spouse, daughter, sister, or friend. Our experiences are different from those of men, and we want to share our unique journeys together to realize we are not alone, others face similar challenges, how we can help each other move forward, and our voices are significant additions to what it means to serve one's country. Please join us this Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at First Grace UCC in Akron. If you cannot join us, please contact me at <a href="mailto:vetartproject@gmail.com">vetartproject@gmail.com</a> to learn how you can start your own Women Warriors Project in your home community. Let's come together to move forward with strength, courage, joy, and gratitude.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-7993838758009588972012-06-19T04:46:00.000-04:002012-06-19T04:46:10.956-04:00Grants Galore! And we are GRATEFUL!I am very pleased to share that the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and the Puffin Foundation have recently awarded the Vet Art Project grants. The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation grant will help underwrite drama therapy programming in Northeast Ohio including workshops with veterans at area shelters and with Warriors Journey Home, a therapeutic theater program at the Parma VA, and in support of the national launch of Vet Art Project America Retreat that will offer transformational arts programming for veterans and family members as well as train creative arts therapists and counselors in the philosophy of the project to build projects in their home communities. The Puffin Foundation will support this programming helping to purchase supplies and more.<br />
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A recent benefit performance titled Theatre of War was produced in Chicago at the Chopin Theater which offered artists interpretations of their connection to or disconnection from war. This funding will support programming in Chicago as well as helping Chicago-area veterans and family members attend the Vet Art Project America Retreat in Northeast Ohio. For more details on this wonderful event, please see below post.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-70635463984616323462012-06-18T04:04:00.002-04:002012-06-18T04:06:18.004-04:00A site for Veterans' Art<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was recently contacted by a veteran who used art as a big part of his recuperation process and he's started a FaceBook page. This group is a place where veterans can post artwork that they've created as part of their journeys. I hope to post some of Dan's artwork here soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artwork-by-Veterans/389324847797098?skip_nax_wizard=true" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>pages/Artwork-by-Veterans/<wbr></wbr>389324847797098?skip_nax_<wbr></wbr>wizard=true#</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's the description:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Artwork by Veterans inspires greater
understanding of the real impact of war with a focus on the healing aspect Art
provides. The page is set up as a museum to collect, preserve and exhibit art
inspired by military service and created by veterans</span></div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-77025744299555984272012-06-04T06:43:00.004-04:002012-06-04T07:32:04.508-04:00Plans, Programs & More<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ITyVvZ3MyHR8GaPAO6eA8uyRWu3dQaH-i2XFL6nHtrtwkLg-3TW_keaKGb-fTQZQlytMwt7WCoEn8JmzCRWMOevwdVZvOnFC3YLkP_6OYXI1Wn3ELTBeanGrJn9KLWPlY1NAp_iOOk/s1600/P1010039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ITyVvZ3MyHR8GaPAO6eA8uyRWu3dQaH-i2XFL6nHtrtwkLg-3TW_keaKGb-fTQZQlytMwt7WCoEn8JmzCRWMOevwdVZvOnFC3YLkP_6OYXI1Wn3ELTBeanGrJn9KLWPlY1NAp_iOOk/s200/P1010039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From distant shores . . .</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgYWDGE6cIJ5p0sAYqVzzM9XZIWm8PGuEtMJSDLXTzo_1i9Ql_PWMpxNyYUfFS7usG0XG39T9jdMu8nGklDkoKdYses-LZ08_-loBfZWYzlO0iZOwkAD0_GLXumaslE_6D2mBRvHD8UM/s1600/P1010033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgYWDGE6cIJ5p0sAYqVzzM9XZIWm8PGuEtMJSDLXTzo_1i9Ql_PWMpxNyYUfFS7usG0XG39T9jdMu8nGklDkoKdYses-LZ08_-loBfZWYzlO0iZOwkAD0_GLXumaslE_6D2mBRvHD8UM/s200/P1010033.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to the bluest peaks . . .</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezjf_5kpzT3os5n1sAX89bZxKE2YaI3FEBwkGKTYI6hv5ca7Vl7EebDe2_x2lM21k0o2dR7oUtr7SrJGmeJUvfnk_Qpkbi0m8IYqbzcc1ycONgM5-RPALbUM0IZ6pft58fNnuh8h0u-Y/s1600/P1010061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezjf_5kpzT3os5n1sAX89bZxKE2YaI3FEBwkGKTYI6hv5ca7Vl7EebDe2_x2lM21k0o2dR7oUtr7SrJGmeJUvfnk_Qpkbi0m8IYqbzcc1ycONgM5-RPALbUM0IZ6pft58fNnuh8h0u-Y/s400/P1010061.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we have witnessed the majesty that is Mother Nature and fed ourselves . . .</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5tmHUtu9eXZnQcNkZ-kpQPR6VyuIjffI3ipoFjaYzNfir5wd4yTbDO0eqYZmoDUOpgE7gVrQBFnlXsGX_u0txtQzOxKFnANYMAkx0zE-BcjPJz_lMG_sAyNdaSWVAuX74VpB5blqEGY/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5tmHUtu9eXZnQcNkZ-kpQPR6VyuIjffI3ipoFjaYzNfir5wd4yTbDO0eqYZmoDUOpgE7gVrQBFnlXsGX_u0txtQzOxKFnANYMAkx0zE-BcjPJz_lMG_sAyNdaSWVAuX74VpB5blqEGY/s200/IMG_1749.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzbEUvM3PqSbeqBrz2WXhPgiEP784hUDkm4lf_QMQ0arppx7uA1OkxJVZcLyuO8My5a24zistwBxKo4l1EE65jbh6vi8tlcg7VID4DsXkoSuc3CQqnxxdfZC0sGwYHhGIxhG30eg_6o/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzbEUvM3PqSbeqBrz2WXhPgiEP784hUDkm4lf_QMQ0arppx7uA1OkxJVZcLyuO8My5a24zistwBxKo4l1EE65jbh6vi8tlcg7VID4DsXkoSuc3CQqnxxdfZC0sGwYHhGIxhG30eg_6o/s200/IMG_1750.JPG" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In addition to the fabulous performances that made up Theatre of War, other news in the world of the Vet Art Project includes . . .</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BeatRoot: A Spiritual Journey through Movement continues since January 2012</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women Warriors Project began in NE Ohio in April of this year</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stress-Reduction Workshops at Shelters for Formerly Homeless Veterans</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Therapeutic Theater Workshop at a VAMC</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEy-8r0knev5ekpVPIjB82sEJamk1JCaXhUYfRRY3yOjIB3M6gm83-sY7_Ddk7gtnt5PArJxaOl2YWgoZkCxoqvvqx2YkpnwIhpNfXHbnAEYlWnmQJCsAmCQZJRvJTDlIsrq9Qu8lHZs/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEy-8r0knev5ekpVPIjB82sEJamk1JCaXhUYfRRY3yOjIB3M6gm83-sY7_Ddk7gtnt5PArJxaOl2YWgoZkCxoqvvqx2YkpnwIhpNfXHbnAEYlWnmQJCsAmCQZJRvJTDlIsrq9Qu8lHZs/s200/IMG_1746.JPG" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Additional recent support provided by . . .</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Warriors Journey Home</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Family & Community Services</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First Grace UCC</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Upcoming programming includes . . .</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Creative Arts Workshop Series with Vet Art Project Chicago in conjunction with other Chicago-area veterans arts organizations</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vet Art Project America Retreat: A transformative creative arts retreat for veterans and family members </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with follow-up experiential training for creative arts therapists and counselors</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women Warriors Survivor Project</span></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Z3CIokH8K14kSwUo2gIheW6TWsMvu8XVKXbGZNCKcLtyyuaBNBIoYlsEVQGEg6ExXwvAFBpOuGOdzrUVoAc3AS07rtnHtjJ4pZQzMcPKDkVW5AIX7YxlVql8E5ZPMgh_GaEr2TYcq0/s1600/P1010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Z3CIokH8K14kSwUo2gIheW6TWsMvu8XVKXbGZNCKcLtyyuaBNBIoYlsEVQGEg6ExXwvAFBpOuGOdzrUVoAc3AS07rtnHtjJ4pZQzMcPKDkVW5AIX7YxlVql8E5ZPMgh_GaEr2TYcq0/s400/P1010021.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We continue to illuminate the world through story and building community </td></tr>
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</div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-76842135584113331912012-05-12T14:40:00.000-04:002012-05-12T14:50:34.252-04:00Theatre of War Video for Upcoming Benefit for the Vet Art ProjectPlease witness this powerful collage of sounds and images depicting war and relative distance to it:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/41960356" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://vimeo.com/41960356</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjt4LT1tYSDSL2Be1HnWRroid-fzT4cZWOEu1J2hl_XbqvBoViZKiwXREQH4KnJfcG5gJ2OHL0buZVQcy1IJzln6B4J4yoNfZNNjAkvMaGWtHp9YjUdfNrJiZWY_2A8U0TEagu-Crt8Q/s1600/ToW+Full+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjt4LT1tYSDSL2Be1HnWRroid-fzT4cZWOEu1J2hl_XbqvBoViZKiwXREQH4KnJfcG5gJ2OHL0buZVQcy1IJzln6B4J4yoNfZNNjAkvMaGWtHp9YjUdfNrJiZWY_2A8U0TEagu-Crt8Q/s320/ToW+Full+Poster.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-17216996880671924832012-05-03T03:18:00.000-04:002012-05-03T04:03:44.488-04:00Theatre of War to benefit the Vet Art ProjectChicago friends of the Vet Art Project can support it by feeding themselves new ways to look at, feel, and think about the effects of war. A collaboration among Chicago music, film theater, and written word artists, Theatre of War sets out to share their exploration of "the alienation felt by many Americans: the alienation of the soldier from civilian life, of the average U.S. citizen from victims of torture, of the dissociative, technological methods of remote-control weaponry from its human casualties--and the notable lack of spiritual disquiet in our society at large as so much destruction occurs around the world."<br />
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<ul>
<li>Wednesday, May 23rd &</li>
<li>Thursday, May 24th</li>
<li>7:30 p.m. each evening</li>
<li>CHOPIN Theater</li>
<li>$30 general admission / $20 students with ID</li>
</ul>
I'll be there for the opening night and participants in the Vet Art Project Chicago will be here both nights.<br />
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Details here: <a href="http://spektralquartet.com/events/theatre-of-war/">http://spektralquartet.com/events/theatre-of-war/</a><br />
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Please help support the dialogue.<br />
Wishing all of you peace through art,<br />
Lisa<br />
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<br />Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-75439408713787186152012-04-04T13:59:00.007-04:002012-06-19T04:18:01.404-04:00Women Warriors Project launches in NE Ohio!Hello Friends of the Vet Art Project,<br />
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We have just launched the Women Warriors Project meeting monthly in NE Ohio--in Akron to be exact. Here are the details. Please join us and help us spread the word! </div>
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Wishing you all peace through Art, Lisa </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 180%;">Women Warriors Project</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We are a gathering for women—<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Making Art, Sharing Stories, and Supporting Each Other in Our Service<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Women service members and veterans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Women whose spouses or partners are currently serving or veterans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Women who are mothers of current service members or veterans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Women whose brother, sister, father, mother—any family relation or friend—is currently serving or served in the military<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We women provide support when we serve our country, and we offer a lot of support to those we love who serve(d) our country. We need to support ourselves to help sustain ourselves and others. Women Warriors Project is a group where we can share our stories in an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accepting</i></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supportive</i></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">community</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">6:30 – 8 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2nd Tuesday of Every Month<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First Grace UCC<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">350 S. Portage Path<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Akron, Ohio 44320<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is no cost to participate.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">E-mail vetartproject@gmail.com </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">or call 708-715-5488</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to RSVP & for more information<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima;">This group is led by Lisa Peacock, MA, Drama Therapist, founder of the Vet Art Project, the wife of a veteran, and a playwright, writing coach, author, and editor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Optima;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vet Art Project</b> creates opportunities for veterans and family members to work with creative media to foster storytelling about war and service to attain a greater level of personal understanding, awareness, and peace. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Optima;">More information: <u>www.vetartproject.com</u><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This program is supported in part by the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, Warriors Journey Home, First Grace UCC, and Family & Community Services<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-19758424670361472642012-04-04T13:58:00.002-04:002012-04-04T13:59:13.773-04:00Writing Contest for Veterans<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; "><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; "><i>The Iowa Review</i> has a new veterans writing contest. Here are the details:</div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><b>The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">This new contest is open to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre.</span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in an upcoming issue of <i>The Iowa Review </i>literary magazine.</span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">The final judge is Robert Olen Butler. </span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><b>Deadline: June 15, 2012 </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">Entry fee: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">$15</span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">For online submission guidelines, please visit </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><a style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); ">iowareview.submishmash.<wbr>com</a>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">For paper submission guidelines (and more information), visit </span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><a href="http://iowareview.uiowa.edu/veteranswritingcontest" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); ">http://iowareview.uiowa.<wbr>edu/veteranswritingcontest</a>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: Calibri; ">Please e-mail </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><a href="mailto:iowa-review@uiowa.edu" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); ">iowa-review@uiowa.edu</a> <wbr>with any questions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; "><br /></span></div></span>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-17365664142124280962012-03-03T16:54:00.002-05:002012-03-03T16:57:33.904-05:00BeatRoot and the Journey Forward!We have begun a wonderful program series called BeatRoot. It's a spiritual journey through movement. Not a dance lesson; not a class. It's a chance to bring your emotions and take a journey through rhythm. Meeting every Monday at First Grace UCC in Akron. Send an e-mail to vetartproject@gmail.com for more details.<div><br /></div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-85163193510343490682012-02-15T21:42:00.008-05:002012-02-15T22:57:09.761-05:00So much has happened . . . where to begin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NQwCMhv6rvZuBE92DGfr9rM01vr3uTQHdN2MUWsLa4DuIHRnDSXvAuc2cMNYYYsXHhEm_NvXS9vAexVzyY4hOkXCjVmRux_7R1CwO_IaaqSTnZacUrUzK8L_-U3AfiMEv9oxEJIZC5w/s1600/Flags_2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NQwCMhv6rvZuBE92DGfr9rM01vr3uTQHdN2MUWsLa4DuIHRnDSXvAuc2cMNYYYsXHhEm_NvXS9vAexVzyY4hOkXCjVmRux_7R1CwO_IaaqSTnZacUrUzK8L_-U3AfiMEv9oxEJIZC5w/s320/Flags_2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709577564870693234" /></a><br />After finishing my drama therapy internship at the Institute for Therapy through the Arts I moved to Akron. Many changes in my life and the lives of my family. It's good to be back in the Midwest and back in the Buckeye state. It's true: Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye!<br /><br />I'm working at Freedom House, a shelter for formerly homeless veterans. I'm leading a stress reduction workshop series--my second of many more to come. I use all my skills as a drama therapist and incorporate playwriting, dance/movement, drawing, poetry, collage making, music, and more into the storytelling process that occurs in this group setting. I'm also privileged to help attend the flag raising and lowering outside the shelter at sunrise and sundown when I'm working as a housing specialist.<br /><br />The Vet Art Project is also doing a weekly dance/movement program called BeatRoot at First Grace UCC in Akron. This is a "spiritual journey through movement" where participants come in and explore their feelings through movement inspired by different rhythmic patterns from around the world. We move for an hour--nonstop! Believe it or not you can, too.<br /><br />The University of Akron is another venue for Vet Art Project programming. We'll be offering workshops for students as part of their Wellness Day program in late March and a program for faculty and staff from this and other area universities in early April.<br /><br />I've also become a regular participant in Warriors Journey Home circles where veterans, family members, and people of strong heart gather to share in community stories of war and service. (Check out <a href="http://www.warriorsjourneyhome.com/">http://www.warriorsjourneyhome.com/</a>)<br /><br />Also Shianne Eagleheart and her Red Bird Center (<a href="http://www.redbirdcenter.org/">http://www.redbirdcenter.org/</a>) is a wonderful healing space that's opened to veterans and family members the last weekend of every month. There's time for sharing, storytelling, art, and healing lodges. And everyone has an opportunity to be refreshed and reconnected to the land and to their brothers and sisters.<br /><br />There are grand people here in Northeast Ohio and this is a fine foundation to grow strong roots. Stay tuned for further updates as the Vet Art Project continues to transform all who participate in her programming.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-46607975270842971142011-10-20T19:29:00.004-04:002011-10-20T19:40:01.773-04:00Sharing Opportunity at the Arts in Healing for Warriors Conference at the new Walter Reed & NICoEI was privileged to present information about the Vet Art Project at the invitation of the Society for Arts in Health Care at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and NICoE in Bethesda, Maryland last weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn what's happening around the country--Walter Reed provides creative arts therapy for some patients!--and learn how art is helping in the healing process for those who have served our country. It was a wonderful opportunity, too, help inspire others to invest in the project in their home communities. I shared the philosophy and how to build a supportive community.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-2116224682674772112011-09-15T08:15:00.002-04:002011-09-15T08:37:22.061-04:00Reflections 10 Years After and CountingOn September 11th I was in Chicago at my job as a development book editor. The CEO closed the office early and we all went home to be with our families. I spent the afternoon with my husband witnessing the devastation and feeling my life transform. It was a day of great tragedy as was (and is) it's aftermath.<br /><br />Looking back, it was on this day that I began to ask myself the question "What difference was I making in the lives of others"? This day propelled me forward on my journey that first led me to be <span style="font-style:italic;">against</span> something but as I spent time with the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and then the military families who feared for the well-being of their sons and daughters, I realized that it was much better to be <span style="font-style:italic;">FOR</span> something than AGAINST something. So my question then became "What positive difference can I make in the lives of others"?<br /><br />I believe the Vet Art Project grew out of these events--helping others give voice to their experiences from war and service. Introducing or strengthening artistic languages to connect with and convey buried feelings for self-revelation, to communicate these feelings to other family members so they may know what you experienced whether during service or on the homefront for the spouses and loved ones left behind, and to learn from the experiences of the children and their losses. Sharing these stories with others, to build bridges of communication and community, reconnecting the veteran and civilian populations to help us understand the enormous impact of war and service on us all, this is but one of the many Phoenixes that arose from this tragedy.<br /><br />I regret the events that started me on this path--my thoughts and prayers are with those who sacrificed so much on that day--and I am grateful for every step thereafter.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-1498667771911485792011-08-16T16:19:00.004-04:002011-08-16T16:40:25.784-04:00It's been too long! News from the HomeFront of the Vet Art ProjectHello My Friends,
<br />I cannot believe it's been so many months since my last blog post. I've been busy D O I N G instead of reporting on what I'm doing—my apologies, however, at my absence. Here's what I've been up to as I continue my training as a drama therapist:
<br />—1 internship in Tucson, Arizona with One Sacred Nation Healing, a Wellbriety Program that uses Native American principles, laws, and values to teach others a program of wellness and sobriety
<br />—1 internship in Evanston, Illinois with the Institute for Therapy through the Arts, working with creative arts therapists, drama therapists, and music therapists and 16 different population groups to get more hands-on training practice in drama therapy
<br />—2 Grief Trainings with the Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago
<br />—1 Creative Arts Therapy Workshop with the School of the Art Institute Chicago Art Therapy Program
<br />—I attended the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Chicago
<br />—1 Poetry Therapy workshop with Dr. Sherry Reiter (www.creativerightingcenter.com), Black Mountain, NC
<br />—1 Warriors Journey Home Healing Retreat (forthcoming later this week), Red Bird Center, Cambridge, OH, and
<br />—I will be appearing on a panel at a conference sponsored by Society for the Arts in Health Care (more to come on this) in October, Bethesda, MD
<br />—and more to report in the weeks to come
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<br />My commitment to the project remains steadfast and will begin to grow more apparent in the months to come with upcoming announcements.
<br />Vet Art Project Chicago continues to grow stronger with new programming the city colleges in Chicago
<br />Vet Art Project Pittsburgh recently assisted at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games & at Stand Down Pittsburgh
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<br />And calls for programming and offers of support keep coming in from around the country.
<br />Want to help? Send an e-mail to vetartproject@gmail.com
<br />The Vet Art Project continues to be fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas so you can make a tax-deductible contribution. Just go to our Web site and click on the link on the home page.
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<br />In gratitude for all the stories and offers of support,
<br />LisaLisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-73474191793075942922010-11-11T13:16:00.004-05:002010-11-11T14:48:28.287-05:00To My Brothers and Sisters Who Wear or Have Worn the Uniform, I'm Grateful for Your ServiceToday is a holiday for some—a day off work, a day to go shopping and save big. But for me, today is a day filled with gratitude. I am grateful for those who serve or have served our country in uniform. I am grateful that there are organizations such as Dryhootch and Vets4Vets that help Veterans find someone to talk to who knows what its really like, and programs such as The Mission Continues, Soldiers Heart, and the Coming Home Project that help veterans find a new direction and reintegrate into their families. And I’m grateful for all the artists who have or are participating in the Vet Art Project in cities such as Chicago, Seattle, and Pittsburgh who are creating new opportunities for Veterans and their family members to explore self expression, find new meaning, understanding, and opportunities to share their stories to help those of us who have not served in uniform to sense what its really like. It’s this kind of sharing, between Veterans and Civilians that may benefit and strengthen our communities the most.<br /><br />Veterans Day is one day that our nation acknowledges those who serve, but they serve every day and so every day can be Veterans Day if we learn to show our gratitude. Why gratitude? Because I cannot do what I do, and you cannot live your life and make the choices you want and exercise your freedoms if this was a country that didn’t or couldn’t protect personal rights. This is not a political issue—it’s not about us and them—it’s about we as in We the people, in order to form a more perfect union . . . because the foundation of our country rests upon a tapestry of intricate connections that support and sustain our communities, and everyone plays a part. And no matter what our personal beliefs about wars in general or one war in particular, we must be for our fellow citizens, we must support our men and women in uniform because they are an important part of our communities. Those in uniform serve and their family members serve, too.<br /><br />I am grateful today, too, for the VA policy change for PTSD care for service members and veterans where cause no longer needs to be documented, and PTSD screening is provided on demand with an automatic assumption that a person’s symptoms are caused by stress during service and treatment is provided (Arizona Republic, November 9, 2010, p. A7). This change in policy will especially benefit women in uniform because their support roles often put them in direct and indirect danger yet they cannot tie their combat stress to one particular incident (the previous criterion). It’s not a perfect system but it’s better, and I’m grateful for these changes. And I will be grateful the day when spouses and children of those who serve are extended support and care for the role they play in their family member’s service. <br /><br />We, as members of the community, can do our part, too. Beginning today, think about how you can show your gratitude. And wake up tomorrow and do it all over again, just as those who serve in uniform do. Ask yourself each day, what am I doing to sustain our community?Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-79379158069069638622010-11-01T13:29:00.004-04:002010-11-01T13:49:23.674-04:00A Life-Altering Teaching: The Medicine Wheel & 12 Step Program for Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4phyphenhyphenBIVxpOSobUDlH1vjdM82ZK4xrs6wS63na2DtfCLL7BhuddtzIxjN80GRQ696eqlL-8eFQwq06jA-ecBrhbk9PaXWixDeC7WSvffel6CmJ_hKhuR6ypjlyFzqWJUxXYUI2ibPpY0/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4phyphenhyphenBIVxpOSobUDlH1vjdM82ZK4xrs6wS63na2DtfCLL7BhuddtzIxjN80GRQ696eqlL-8eFQwq06jA-ecBrhbk9PaXWixDeC7WSvffel6CmJ_hKhuR6ypjlyFzqWJUxXYUI2ibPpY0/s400/IMG_1385.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534639718683229410" /></a><br />Hello My Friends,<br />I'm just back from an amazing workshop in Colorado Springs. Offered at the Wellbriety Institute (whitebison.org). This program incorporates the principles, values, and teachings of Native American elders into a program that teaches you how to live a more connected life--more connected to the land, our place in the world, a path to wellness without using substances to mask or enhance experiences, and to build communities of support. I learned, too, that the AA philosophy and its founders were influenced by Native American traditions, which Dr. Bob & Bill Wilson explored as they created their own paths to wellness.<br />This organization offers a variety of programs for adults and youth; they've even started a program to help those transitioning out of prison. On the White Bison Web site you can find listings for weekly Talking Circles that are held around the country to help people find the strength, support, and spirit to continue to take care of themselves and others to build stronger communities. <br />I am grateful to Don Coylis for building a welcoming home; to Sharyl Whitehawk and Marlin Farley for their teachings, their welcoming spirits, and their support; to my sisters from around the U.S. and Canada who encouraged, supported, welcomed, and sustained my spirit throughout the day, from greeting the sun, through our workshop day, and into the evenings exploring the breathtaking lands of Colorado.<br /><br />I also want to share a wonderful book by Jamie Sams titled <span style="font-style:italic;">The 13 Original Clan Mothers: Your Sacred Path to Discovering the Gifts, Talents, & Abilities of the Feminine Through the Ancient Teachings of the Sisterhood</span>. Originally published in 1993 by Harper Collins, this book came into my life because I was ready for it. I hope you're ready for it, too. It's an opportunity to invest in yourself, explore and acknowledge your talents and abilities, and move through the world with a renewed mission to self and helping others.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-26972541510931112482010-06-16T23:38:00.005-04:002010-06-17T00:26:51.303-04:00Delayed Update from Manhattan . . . Kansas where Everything's Coming Up Drama TherapyThis past Spring I appreciated my brief but helpful stay at Blue Mountain Center where I was able to really dig into The Vet Art Project Book. Centered around the art that we've created collaboratively, and the stories of the people behind the art, this book will reach beyond the goal of providing a how-to manual for other artists who want to bring the Vet Art Project to their home community to help educate civilians about war and service and feature some of the amazing art and experiences we've shared thus far.<br /><br />I've also been to a Veterans Journey Home Retreat in northern Wisconsin. This is a wonderful organization (www.vetsjourneyhome.org) that offers a powerful retreat experience for veteran participants and staff members. I encourage you all to learn more about this program and what it offers. I'm grateful that I'll be joining them again in Milwaukee in August.<br /><br />Currently I'm in Manhattan, Kansas taking drama therapy and sociodrama workshops as I work toward becoming a Registered Drama Therapist. I've learned so much from all the fantastic Creative Art Therapists who have come to share their talents with the Vet Art Project Chicago and at other locations. Another week and a half to go and then I'm off again eventually making my way to Phoenix in August to help launch Vet Art Project Phoenix mid-month, and before that to present an experiential workshop at the Department of Defense Force Health Protection Conference along with clinical director Lin Daley. (Lin is in Madison, Wisconsin working with Dryhootch (dryhootch.org) with their Wisconsin Warriors Summit this week.<br /><br />Jessa Carlstrom is doing a fantastic job as lead artist of Vet Art Project Chicago with expanded programming and more to be announced shortly.Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-67363741467824662872010-04-26T20:57:00.005-04:002010-04-26T21:06:25.392-04:00Vet Art Project Is on the Road!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zt7H77KiTtWb98gTMu1o3Obl9rBdjdwRnZOigsB246uoUNXkLI5_hGHJmKkl9W93i-GXZLzMKZ7Oq4hjNDzDwsqKf18rFPwl9IzC2TYveF3LK-PsspmRnHCdpNToaMnlAQtjhMvSCrE/s1600/logo_vetart_LH300.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 86px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zt7H77KiTtWb98gTMu1o3Obl9rBdjdwRnZOigsB246uoUNXkLI5_hGHJmKkl9W93i-GXZLzMKZ7Oq4hjNDzDwsqKf18rFPwl9IzC2TYveF3LK-PsspmRnHCdpNToaMnlAQtjhMvSCrE/s200/logo_vetart_LH300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464616895601924114" /></a><br />I know it's been a long time since I last posted but that's because I've been busy working on all things Vet Art! Here some highlights of upcoming events and plans with more to come:<br />--Awarded a Residency to write the Vet Art Project Book at Blue Mountain Center (an artists retreat in upstate New York)<br />--Vet Art Project Phoenix launches in August 2010<br />--Vet Art Project Milwaukee begins! [more details soon]<br />and<br />--Vet Art Project Pittsburgh begins! [more details soon]<br />--Experiential workshop at the Department of Defense Force Health Protection Conference in August 2010 ("The Vet Art Project as a Tool for Transformation for Veterans, Family Members, and Civilians to Build Stronger Integrated Communities")Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-44819634571027887112010-01-12T17:29:00.002-05:002010-01-12T17:38:59.461-05:00Vet Art Project Santa Fe L A U N C H E S!!!Lin Daley and Lisa Rosenthal will be launching the first weekend of programming for Vet Art Project Santa Fe January 23 & 24. We are offering storytelling workshops that use collage, movement, improvisation, and poetry/prose (writing); a witnessing workshop for community members; and a showing of new art created in the project. Details at http://www.vetartproject.com/usa.html or e-mail vetartprojectsantafe@gmail.com. We hope to see you there! Peace through Art, LisaLisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-67020772967310894042009-12-31T18:28:00.004-05:002010-02-02T02:18:54.996-05:00News from Vet Art Project Seattle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-K2UsvR23SxJ4YXRI_Sf2ONQgPEhexcyeFU2NIYPyHkFgc0PN94t6pA8w90BVcV1FRRgHMH3aB8GF1ncWx9nPHFnrL9qVHv-P3zcyiQNKusn8FiCmXeh8F0o3_9MV0HpcCkWQ67Dov8/s1600-h/visual+art+3-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-K2UsvR23SxJ4YXRI_Sf2ONQgPEhexcyeFU2NIYPyHkFgc0PN94t6pA8w90BVcV1FRRgHMH3aB8GF1ncWx9nPHFnrL9qVHv-P3zcyiQNKusn8FiCmXeh8F0o3_9MV0HpcCkWQ67Dov8/s320/visual+art+3-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433541794557614370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYYI7g_P8t9cm6oHFJ_F9eXKehV2rHw4f-pVb7kbY6ZE7ZEJUZkRTaFGVSXnxNRbFmC6RiXtDr84ip8nALQlAU6yg7XSH34NYa9QKEdY91GBRoLVMQKTlCjWeQpfYuSBovYdGR_ia80k/s1600-h/visual+art+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYYI7g_P8t9cm6oHFJ_F9eXKehV2rHw4f-pVb7kbY6ZE7ZEJUZkRTaFGVSXnxNRbFmC6RiXtDr84ip8nALQlAU6yg7XSH34NYa9QKEdY91GBRoLVMQKTlCjWeQpfYuSBovYdGR_ia80k/s320/visual+art+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433541784486689618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xv9u7XCihHc04h0QGpmtnPR0Tpn62rH358qIrmVzmZMVhos5ExJI4_5chh7BT95UhZBQ-sju0aZNRWKWlODqdznXDX9omubulMys7_hUPsSwqNQThg6dyAY8hvqBDzTmmjd31aq0O2Q/s1600-h/photo+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xv9u7XCihHc04h0QGpmtnPR0Tpn62rH358qIrmVzmZMVhos5ExJI4_5chh7BT95UhZBQ-sju0aZNRWKWlODqdznXDX9omubulMys7_hUPsSwqNQThg6dyAY8hvqBDzTmmjd31aq0O2Q/s320/photo+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433541782402927490" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if supportFields]><span style="'mso-element:field-begin'"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>CONTACT _Con-3A78519C1 \c \s \l <span style="'mso-element:field-separator'"></span><![endif]--><span style="mso-no-proof: yes">Caroline Brown</span><!--[if supportFields]><span style="'mso-element:field-end'"></span><![endif]-->, Lead Artist, Vet Art Project Seattle</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My name is <span style="mso-no-proof:yes">Caroline Brown</span> and I am currently the lead artist for Vet Art Project Seattle. December 6th marks our fifth workshop and I am in awe of how our process has unfolded so far.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was inspired to pursue the Vet Art Project Seattle after learning of Lisa Rosenthal’s project in Chicago. I have an extensive background using the arts—particularly performance—as a tool to help individuals and communities express themselves as a means of healing and advocacy and have wanted to work with veterans for some time. I began researching programs that were set up to support veterans’ return to civilian life and ironically found the Vet Art Project Webpage the day after the February performance at the Chicago Cultural Center. I immediately contacted Lisa via e-mail to inquire about the idea of using the Chicago project as a model for a similar one in Seattle. Before I even left the coffee shop from where I was e-mailing, Lisa had left me a voice mail offering her full encouragement of my endeavor.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lisa’s support has been instrumental in helping me get the Seattle project off the ground, particularly during the preliminary stages of planning and organizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During our first phone conversation, Lisa answered all of my questions regarding how the Chicago project was shaped and immediately provided me with the project’s mission statement and logo. From there, she put me in touch with Soldier’s Heart Seattle, the veteran’s return and healing project based on the writings of Dr. Edward Tick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The director of Soldier’s Heart Seattle, Sally Jo Gilbert de Vargas, has since become one my strongest allies in promoting the project and helping me network within the veteran’s community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I began to research funding for the project, Lisa agreed to serve in an advisory role for a grant that I applied for and also provided me with a great bit of narrative for the application. We are lucky to have the wonderful Freehold Theatre serve as our project’s host and fiscal sponsor here in Seattle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In addition to offering professional support and resources, Lisa also understands the personal challenges and triumphs that one can face in pursuing projects of this nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She continues to be a wonderful sounding board and positive reinforcement for the process.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After seven months of networking, researching, grant writing and coordinating, the Vet Art Project Seattle held its first meeting between artists and vets in October. In just four short workshops, we created a safe space of trust and openness where veterans and artists alike are able to share, create, explore and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">learn</i>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am extremely humbled by the risks that individuals are willing to take outside of their comfort zone and I am inspired by the work that is being created through the partnerships between artists and vets.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I emphasize the term <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">learn</i> because even though it is very clear that there is no political agenda for the project, conversations still inevitably arise around individuals’ different experiences, opinions and perspectives. The workshops provide us with a safe environment where extreme disparities can finally be shared, witnessed and embraced rather than ignored or disrespected. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have great hopes for the Vet Art Project Seattle and where the creative process will lead us over the course of the next three months. Week after week, our community continues to grow as new participants join and dialogues continue to build. I am confidant that we will continue to embrace the diversity of human experience amongst our group and collectively build a creative context where it may be healed, celebrated and honored.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>I think I can speak on behalf of our project here in Seattle when I say that we are very proud to be recognized as Chapter Two in the many Vet Art Projects that are being pursued nationwide.</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To learn more about our upcoming performance in mid-March or to join our mailing list, please send an e-mail to Caroline.e.brown@gmail.com or visit our Web page at http://web.mac.com/c.e.b/iWeb/Site%202/Vet%20Art%20Project%20Seattle.html.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-56161785701181715512009-11-19T18:28:00.003-05:002009-11-19T18:32:56.732-05:00Experiencing Veteran’s Voices: The Synergy of Community<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 10pt; "><b>By David Faigin, M.A., Vet Art Project Clinical Consultant</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One of the most wonderful outcomes I’m seeing from the Vet Art Project are the ways in which community is building around the project in a synergistic way. This synergy is bringing veterans into the project, connecting veterans to artists, and connecting the whole project to other groups and organizations in the community. Synergy is what brought me to the project in the first place; offering me a way to continue to work with veterans and their families in the community, as well as blending my work in community psychology and my background in theatre and the arts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The most rewarding thing about my involvement in the project so far by far is witnessing the positive impact it’s having on the veterans who participate. Strength, encouragement, connection, and community are blossoming out of the partnerships and artistic activities taking place. Veterans, their children and supporters, artists, therapists, veteran advocates, politicians and community members are offered a way to meet and interact that can only occur in this sort of grass-roots activity. Having worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and hearing from veterans first hand, I am now well aware of what the various medical, therapeutic, and veteran service organization settings have to offer veterans and their families. The efforts being put into these settings and the help that they offer is critical, but I can say with great certainty now, the Vet Art Project is offering something unique, and just as critical. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My involvement so far in the Vet Art Project has allowed me to lead workshops and community conversations, share my input on growing the community, and to perform at the recent NIU event embodying one story of the veteran participants. The Vet Art Project’s partnership with the Remy Bumppo Theater Company allowed me to share my perspective on veterans issues as they relate to the acclaimed performance of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Heroes</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> that is currently running at the Greenhouse Theater. The company’s yearly salon involved a discussion of all the plays in Remy Bumppo’s ’09-’10 season and I was the panelist invited to discuss </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Heroes</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. The panel was a lively discussion and an opportunity for me to address the themes and ideas presented in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Heroes</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> as well as the Vet Art Project and the impact that experiencing veterans’ voices can have on our communities. I highly recommend the performance, which follows three WWI veterans as they navigate their friendships, and search for connection and meaning in their later years. It runs through November 29.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here’s a link to Remy Bumppo and “Heroes”: www.remybumppo.org</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here’s a link where you can hear the whole panel discussion that took place on Sept. 14 about all three plays: www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=37198</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This weekend, Sunday Nov. 22, the Vet Art Project’s partnership with Remy Bumppo gets even more exciting, as they join us for a Warrior Poetry reading, featuring many veterans sharing their own words, after the Sunday matinee of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Heroes</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. This is sure to be a powerful event as we see veterans and professional actors share the voices of many generations of warriors. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Personal stories have the power to transform identity, relationships, and the whole community. This project is offering an open platform for veterans’ stories to do just that. Transformation can bring new understanding, healing, and reintegration. I look forward to witnessing the ways the Vet Art Project will continue to connect veterans to themselves, their loved ones, and their communities. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;text-indent:.5in;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Art is wide enough, big enough, and strong enough to hold any narrative, any pain. It has the power to safely hold the warrior and his/her experience simultaneously. It has the power to open up all of us to hear one another more deeply. I know. I am seeing it happen.</span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-47208219123272702282009-10-25T23:07:00.009-04:002009-10-25T23:22:58.575-04:00Artistic Impressions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNZ8A_6MrY6f8HQtsRTEzgKHDkpXqHRWGRWRAIku5QeyeO6WsCOTx0TYXd1h116YojqzxsDjPtysU-AAqySTkcX3yOVPUAxLr_0K4BrqSZmVell7Nm3r__fkPhXm-_1N8SyNowY76ggg/s1600-h/NVVAM+Dog+Tags+in+green+light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNZ8A_6MrY6f8HQtsRTEzgKHDkpXqHRWGRWRAIku5QeyeO6WsCOTx0TYXd1h116YojqzxsDjPtysU-AAqySTkcX3yOVPUAxLr_0K4BrqSZmVell7Nm3r__fkPhXm-_1N8SyNowY76ggg/s320/NVVAM+Dog+Tags+in+green+light.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396740809779518370" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Museum... was very difficult for me to be in. I felt a sense of awe and then a sense of not belonging. When I walked into the Museum and saw the dog tags hanging my heart sank and I immediately put up a wall. I chose to view it as if I was a foreigner looking at an important cultural artifact such as a pot or a doll. "That must've meant something to someone at sometime I thought." I found that I looked at the blank walls more than I did the art. The blank spaces, made up of concrete and shadows, put me at ease. "What's that about?"</span></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When the rehearsal started I looked for any excuse to leave the room. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I ran to the car. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Went for a smoke. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Used the bathroom four times. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> Passed blank spaces frequently. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Coming back from the bathroom, I wanted to place my hand on the cement wall. I could tell it would feel cold. I didn't. Scared someone would see me and be all, "Whatever." So I went back in the elevator. Pushed the warm plastic button: 3rd floor. Watched them rehearse the play. Went home and was numb. That evening when I was all alone I cried. The wall I put up fell. And what I saw were those same blank walls. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I called my dad and I told him to not say no, but to think about what I was going to say. He listened. I asked him if he wanted to go to this retreat for Vets that was happening in Denver this summer with this great lady playwright I met named Lisa. He said, "#$^%, no." I said, "Hold on a sec, I don't need the answer now. I just want you to think about it. Stay open. We'll talk about it again when I come up for Christmas." There was a pause. The cold cement. The silence. Then he said,"Alright Kid, I'll stay open." </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I don't know if he will<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> go. I don't know if he will leave the mountain he lives on for that length of time. I do know for right now until christmas, I can see some of him on that wall.</span></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Written by <b>Dana Lynn Formby</b>, <b>playwright</b> of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Armed with Peanut Butter</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, impressions after her Open Rehearsal at the National Veterans Art Museum, Chicago, preparing for the <b>Vet Art Project Chicago's Veterans Day performance at DePaul University</b>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Note: The retreat to which she refers is a <b>Soldier's Heart Retreat </b>with <b>Edward Tick</b>, author of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>War and the Soul</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Details on this and other retreats are available at <b>soldiersheart.net</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-583384895108178002.post-11697186290943924042009-09-30T22:03:00.007-04:002009-10-01T15:10:12.430-04:00Vet Art Project Phoenix Is Born!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszERRvykairwpUIAagjm5qeQoAn4y3OkKHlZec8kRlcocXL8psmCW-NO8kBZCo-Et-4YxphY53roVHm0431ooFX7-06-ALsmUr9wZPoOc4W9E2tPEajEsuigktfNocLKf7ROK2HHco4s/s1600-h/Windt_White.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszERRvykairwpUIAagjm5qeQoAn4y3OkKHlZec8kRlcocXL8psmCW-NO8kBZCo-Et-4YxphY53roVHm0431ooFX7-06-ALsmUr9wZPoOc4W9E2tPEajEsuigktfNocLKf7ROK2HHco4s/s200/Windt_White.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387707665043444114" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hello My Friends,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vet Art Project Phoenix was born earlier tonight. Spearheaded by the multi-talented Tessa Windt, we are very excited to bring her into the family. She knows the value of storytelling and the importance of building strong bridges to unite communities. You can contact her at twindt@yahoo.com.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGdcpg9hv01xaK4pNg5x8aE8_8GSkYR2aUGWamb7uJP76QKPyy7KBZ80935o9iO1FUEJOAkmMY3YPWp505z4f4u2m-_z58kzhED7jB3cjQhDRibdBvPzWrJFpJjoXLa6jJLf19qOKMgA/s1600-h/Windt_Rainbow.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGdcpg9hv01xaK4pNg5x8aE8_8GSkYR2aUGWamb7uJP76QKPyy7KBZ80935o9iO1FUEJOAkmMY3YPWp505z4f4u2m-_z58kzhED7jB3cjQhDRibdBvPzWrJFpJjoXLa6jJLf19qOKMgA/s200/Windt_Rainbow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387707909276279154" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><i>Rainbow Sightings, </i>begun 2008 - ongoing</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;">Online archive of rainbow photographs: <span class="Object-hover" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT275" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 139); text-decoration: underline; background-color: rgb(227, 218, 147); "><a href="http://rainbowsightings.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 139); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; background-color: rgb(227, 218, 147); ">www.rainbowsightings.com</a></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Lisa Peacockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455808434845461686noreply@blogger.com0