CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH ALYSSA KNOLL, VA MEDICAL CENTER
A special art exhibit is being planned for Escanaba’s Bonifas Art Center starting next week.
It’s titled “More Than a Uniform”, and will feature artwork done by veterans from across the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. The project is spearheaded by the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, in cooperation with the Bonifas, which has dedicated its entire space to this display.
“Over the last two years, we have built art classes for veterans with art centers across the U.P., and in the nine Wisconsin counties that the Oscar G. Johnson Medical Center covers,” Alyssa Knoll, the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, told RRN News. “It’s to create opportunities for veterans to explore creative art. Really looking for a way to create a connection to not only themselves, but also to their communities.”
She says it is a public health approach, as well as a “suicide prevention approach” as the Veterans Administration steps up efforts to slow the trend of suicide amongst veterans.
“Once they started creating that art, and in talking with Kate (Oman) at the Bonafis, it was about, how can we create a space for them to really share that art with their community,” Knoll continued. “We got our heads together, she looked at her calendar, and we’ve been planning for the September 21st grand opening for the past two years. That exhibit is open to all service members, veterans, family members, and caregivers. And we will have a portion of the gallery set aside for folks who use art as a mental health outlet.”
Knoll says there is still time for people to get their last-minute submissions in for the exhibit. Those are due this Thursday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m. ET. To do that, you can get in contact with Knoll at (906) 239-2391, or email alyssa.knoll@va.gov.
“Overall, the art pieces are amazing to see,” Knoll said. “The talent that I’ve witnessed so far in the pieces that we have gotten is amazing. I’m truly, truly excited to see everybody’s art in the exhibit.”
The grand opening for the event is Thursday, Sept. 21, from 6:00 until 8:00 ET at the Bonafis Art Center, which is located at 700 1st Avenue South in Escanaba. The exhibit will be on display through November 2nd.
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