Florida’s First Center for Military and Veteran Artists

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Why is art for Military and Veterans important to the Tampa Bay area?

In order to preserve the freedoms of this country we need a strong National defense.  We do that with an all-volunteer force of people who are prepared to go into harm’s way to protect this way of life.   How we treat those volunteers when they are injured will have influence on whether others will feel confident about following in their path.  Seeking better ways to care for veterans demonstrates appreciation and the Veterans Arts Center of Tampa Bay is one of the ways Tampa Bay cares for and honors Veterans for their sacrifice and contributions.

VACTB is building an environment where Military and Veteran artists can display their work and where disabled Veterans can receive the benefits of art therapy.

Art as Therapy – Visual and Performing Art programs for veterans.

American’s veterans often return home with psychological and medical conditions that impair functioning, disrupt family relationships, and prevent entry into the workforce. Art therapy has been proven to be beneficial in assisting these veterans in recovering from these conditions.

Art as Therapy will offer free access to Art therapy for veterans utilizing a licensed art therapist and local non-profit art education centers. Visual art classes will include painting, drawing, photography, glass and clay. Performing arts will include poetry, writing, acting and digital media.

Tour De Force – National, regional and local artist exhibitions.

The Veterans Art Center of Tampa Bay will work to sponsor national traveling exhibits centered on themes related to national military history and veterans’ art projects. The purpose of this program is to expose and educate the Tampa Bay area to the military experience expressed through the various art mediums. VACTB wants to contribute to the significance of the body of work created by these veterans.

Esprit De Corps – Saturday Morning Art Programming for Veterans.

Saturday morning programming will allow veterans and their families to interact using the creative process to help strengthen the family unit. Activities with other military family members allow for added support and understanding in dealing with active duty and post deployment stresses.

Operation Art – Art gallery for the display and sale of Veteran Art.

Operation Art Gallery will showcase juried fine artwork created by our veteran members. Sale of the artwork will benefit the artists as well as provide support to VACTB. The gallery will be open to the public and serve as a destination point for fine artwork in Tampa Bay area.   This gallery gives veterans the opportunity to educate and inform the public of their talents and experiences.

The VACTB located at 6798 Crosswinds Dr N St Petersburg Florida 33701.

Your support would be of tremendous value in helping us build our “Force for Art.”  Please visit our site to learn more about what we do, to become a member, and/or to make a donation.

We have also partnered with Heavendropt, a Not for Profit that makes crafts and jewelry out of Army parachutes. Heavendropt also offers talk therapy with global reach through an internet radio station and an exchange with a similar art initiative in Frankfurt, Germany.

About Jeff Cavanagh

Jeff Cavanagh spent his freshman year at St. Petersburg Junior College back in the early 70s before enlisting in the United States Navy. Soon after, he attended Jacksonville University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After college, he was commissioned and became a qualified Surface Warfare Officer spending the next 22 years honing his skills as a ship-handler and expert recruiter before retiring in 1994. Jeff expresses a deep sense of pride in St. Petersburg College due to connections that go back many years. His father, Tom Cavanagh, was a career Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran who taught Geography and Western Civilization at St. Petersburg Junior College in the 60’s and 70’s.