Workhouse Warrior Way exhibition: Splendid Boho, a solo exhibition by Judith Arnold, who retired from the US Army to pursue her love of art in 2017. Exhibit through Nov. 7. https://www.workhousearts.org/event/splendid-boho-by-judith-arnold/
With its Military in the Arts Initiative (WMAI), the Workhouse Arts Center
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Alyssa Goggan, acting Military in the Arts director and Leon Scioscia, president and CEO, Workhouse Arts Center
“The WMAI seeks to increase equity, access, and opportunities for veterans to participate in quality arts programming that is sensitive and responsive to their unique experiences,” said Scioscia.
“Our society owes all of our military personnel heartfelt thanks and support for all that they do to keep our Country safe and free. It is our desire to ensure that our Military in the Arts program addresses the needs, and hopefully improves the lives, of our military service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers through the arts,” said Scioscia.
Alyssa Goggan, Workhouse, Acting Military in the Arts Director, made clear that the “WMAI’s mission is to provide a space to those who have given and sacrificed so much to protect our rights and freedoms.” The program offers a large range of activities and options for the participants including fine arts engagement and mental health services in the form of art therapy among many services and activities.
For Workhous Military in the Arts Initiative, “success is seeing our program participants come and engage with the arts, their community, and being open to trying or learning something new. … Being able to reach one individual means we are continuing our mission of providing the space for creativity, self-expression, community engagement, and addressing the needs of that individual and our military community,“ said Goggan.
Workhouse Military in the Arts’s founding Managing Director Debra Balestrer: “The creation, management, and growth of the WMAI program has been the single most gratifying program I have ever had the privilege to be a part of at Workhouse Arts Center.”
“I come from a military family and to be able to give back to service members by offering them valuable, healing, experiences in the arts, has brought me such joy over the years. To me, this demographic represents the best of what makes us human beings; selflessness, honor, dedication, and the willingness to take challenges head-on.” added Balestreri
With health and safety a priority during the continuing pandemic, the Workhouse Arts Foundation will salute and honor all Veterans for their service on Veterans Day with a virtual event. The Workhouse Arts Center website will feature a special virtual salute and will share tour links of national monuments, museums, and battlefields.
Where and When: Ongoing, Workhouse Arts Center, Military in the Arts Initiative. All programs and elements of the WMAI program are available and free to veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and caregivers. Workhouse Arts Center is located at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. For information, including updated health and safety guidelines for in-person visits go to: www.workhousearts.org or call 703-584-2900.