About Veteran Art Institute

Dear Veterans and Patrons,

Welcome to the Veteran Art Institute! This is the story of how this service came into being.

I am the daughter of an Army Air Forces Veteran, WWII Bronze Star Medal recipient who was also an artist. My father suffered from unspoken PTSD resulting in alcoholism which had lifelong effects on our entire family. I am an artist too, have studied the arts all my life and have a BFA in Art History.

When my dad died in 2009, I decided to do something to honor my dad's service plus help other Veterans. Searching for veteran art organizations, I discovered the Veteran Artist Program and became their Visual Arts Coordinator from 2012 through 2018. I helped curate many exhibits of veteran art work, starting at the Pentagon with a year-long, 50-veteran art exhibit. Many other exhibitions followed giving voice to the veterans' experience and stories through their art.

In 2019 I was inspired to create my own non-profit where Veterans could collaborate and show their work in galleries (online and locally). With my fine arts knowledge, and with the help of veterans and friends thereof, I launched the Veteran Art Institute (VAI), a 501c3 nonprofit. VAI launched its 1st nationwide "in-person" event, the 2019 Women's Veteran Art Exhibit with the Veterans Administration. Annual online exhibits continue but more importantly VAI has created a supportive community of veteran artists who have found a "home" for their expression and stories.

Giving back to the Veteran community has proven to be more fulfilling than I ever hoped! Now it's my life work; this creation, filled with hope, something I love and can keep giving back to veterans. It is equally gratifying knowing that veterans can support each other as well as educating the public about the veteran experience through their art.