Vet Art Project Participates in Chicago's Memorial Day Parade

Thanks go to Will Schmutz, Director & Community Liaison on the Commission on Human Relations and Mayor Daley's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, for helping to make this possible. We met many wonderful people on this day!

Milwaukee Performances Support Dryhootch.org

Over this last weekend the Vet Art Project was invited by our dear friend Bob Curry of Dryhootch.org to come to Milwaukee and perform at the Reclaiming Our Heritage event on the historic VA grounds. We knew this was a big event but I had no idea what a huge experience this would be. The shows went off without a hitch. F. David Roth, Curtis Jackson and Dave Strong gave voice to the stories of Vietnam veterans, and others. The honor and respect they gave these words was powerful and moving. I witnessed connections made among actors, veterans, family and friends that stole my breath. So much was communicated with a simple embrace, handshake, and thank you between artists and veterans. This connection, the sharing and the attempt to understand, is why we were at the event and why we do what we do.

Other notes from the day. . .
* Soldiers from wars going back as far as the Civil War to today were represented. I almost tripped over a few hoop skirts while touring the various eras, but given my klutzy track record this comes as no surprise.
* I was unable to visit the library but I have on good authority (Bob Curry himself) our good friend Jeanine Hill-Soldner has several paintings on display (Yeah Jeanine!).
* Special visits from Curtis’s parents—lovely people!—and the wonderful Bob Breuler and Suzy Petri came by after visiting another historic venue Ten Chimneys!
* It was a great day, the weather was lovely and company was extraordinary.

I would like to thank you all for everything that you do.
Jessa Carlstrom, Vet Art Project Co-Lead Artist

New Ideas Gained at ASGPP Conference

I just returned from the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama conference in St. Louis. I learned more about sociodrama, drama therapy, and playback theater--all tools that I'm considering as we grow the project forward. This was just a first taste--there is much more to learn--more training!--before considering incorporating any of these.

I reached out to many new people, too--the community continues to grow. 

Are you engaged? If not, why not? It only takes one person to make a change. And that's no April Fool's. The way to peace is to be the peace you wish to see and art can light your path.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, 

committed citizens can change the world."--Margaret Mead

In Gratitude

After some time away and much needed rest, I'm back in Chicago and counting my blessings. There are so many reasons I'm grateful. Working with Veterans and helping them communicate their wisdom to others is THE MOST REWARDING work I have ever done. It's the best way to create art:

--contributing something positive to the world, 

--helping others, and 

--being artistically satisfied.

It doesn't get any better than this.

I'm very grateful, too, for the wonderful work by Lynette of Chicago Public Radio. She spent hours recording our workshops, interviewing participants, and creating a wonderful feature for 848 and All Things Considered and it continues to bring us additional support in a variety of ways. Lynette continues to offer assistance to the project. People don't come any better than this! Thank you Lynette! (Thanks, too, to Karin McKie who helped me build this connection many months ago.)

More veterans are asking to be a part of the project.

More artists are reaching out and asking to be part of the project.

Artists already connected to the project continue to offer their assistance in new ways as we grow the Vet Art Project forward.

And just today I received a wonderful unsolicited vote of support for the work we do from the good people of the Orgie Theatre Committee who write:

"Best of luck with the wonderful work you do."

I feel very fortunate to live in this time and in this great land because it provides me with opportunities to assist others and make a difference.

And lastly, and ABSOLUTELY FIRST on my gratitude list, is my husband Ted who is supportive in so many ways. Without him, none of this would be possible.

Ripple Effects of the Vet Art Project Incubator at the Chicago Cultural Center

Here are some interesting ripples in the Chicago Community caused by the Vet Art Project:

2 people were so inspired by the program they are now going to volunteer at their local VA

DCA Theater is now permanently offering a discount ticket price to all veterans

Many veterans are calling to participate in the next project

Many people are asking where they can see this performance because they're sorry they missed it. (Sorry, this was a single night performance unless . . . anyone interested in remounting this?)

We now have a mailing list.

Do you know of a ripple effect? Please add it to the comments!

Here are some kind words of support we've received to date:

"It was an honor to work with professionals who really, truly and genuinely care about veterans and their lives. It's a great start to reaching out to other veterans and people." --Bill Crist, Vietnam Veteran

"Thank you so very much for letting us participate in this incredible program. You did a hell of a job many can be very proud of!" -- Bob Curry, Vietnam Veteran, Founder dryhootch.org

"They were all moving, riveting, resounding, stirring, saddening, maddening. You have given us a great gift with your vision." --Ilona Meagher, author of Moving a Nation to Care, ptsdcombat.blogspot.com

"All of my students were moved, amazed, and surprised by their trip to the Vet Arts Project performance." --Carolyn Hoerdemann, DePaul instructor, actress, artist participant in the Vet Art Project

 

"I was so deeply moved by Monday night. There were so many moments that touched me so deeply. This work is so important. Thank you!! I have always  believed Theater, and Art in any form, has the power to transform the world." --Rohina, solo artist

"I just wish there was another performance because I've been telling everyone about it, and I think there are so many people who need to see it. " --Dawn Leader-Peloso, writer, DePaul graduate student

"What an amazing accomplishment and turn out. . . . I was so inspired that I called Jesse Brown VA Hospital and asked about volunteering." --Jennifer Miller, writer, yoga instructor in training

"You did such a beautiful job on the Vet Art Project and performance. It was so moving to see the culmination of all your work on this journey. Sending you, the project's artists, and most importantly the veterans, a sincere thank you for this amazing collaboration and sharing these vital, haunting, spirited stories with us." --Cynthia Frahm, Development Director, Chicago Dramatists

"A fabulous and inspirational evening. It seems that what can be a somewhat touchy and cautious topic was opened up with dignity and grace. . . . I was deeply moved." --Gail Adduci, Dance/Movement Therapist who has worked with Veterans & whose brother is an OIF Veteran

"That was an AWESOME event last night. . . . A reminder that as individuals we can all make a difference. Well done!" --Diane J. Rakocy, writer, visual artist, and Vet Art Project artist participant

"It was an amazing experience to engage in community building with other artists who work in other media with a much, much larger purpose in mind." Suellen Semekoski, adjunct faculty member, School of the Art Institute and Vet Art Project artist participant

"WOW that was so moving on Monday night. . . . Thank you for all the love you have shared!" --Kathleen Nesbitt, writer, writing coach, and Vet Art Project artist participant

Vet Art Project Incubator at Chicago Cultural Center--BY THE NUMBERS

As we take time to assess the amazing community we gathered in the Studio Theater for programs and the Preston Bradley Hall performance of New Art About War last Monday, I want to share some figures with you:

30       Number of Veteran Participants

>60    Number of Artist Participants

>240   Number of People Who Attended Community Building Workshops & Creative Arts Programming as part of the Vet Art Project (in the first two weeks & final day of programming)

230    Number of People Who Attended the New Art About War Performance on 02.23.09

We also are receiving many grateful e-mails from audience members. I'll post these soon.

Impressions After Witnessing the New Art About War Performance by the Vet Art Project

Two friends & I were impressed by the art work, short plays and essays performed for the Vet Arts Project at the Chicago Cultural Center last Tuesday.

It was so good to see Lisa Rosenthal, the creator/leader, at the end of the program, call to the stage all the people involved in
the production. What a work of art to coordinate this varied group.

I have been thinking about the different pieces such as the female veteran of the Iraq conflict and the father struggling to understand both the loss of his older brother in the Vietnam war and his son preparing to be a Navy Seal.

Only Lisa Rosenthal could lead artists to explore this troubling, difficult part of our existence as North American U. S. citizens.

I was glad to see Ted Hogarth, a skilled saxophonist perform with the veteran inspired musical group toward the end of the program.

I am grateful to have experienced the Vet Arts Project and share it with others.

Charlotte