Veterans and BVI Artists Share Their Stories Through Art | Envision Blog

Veterans and BVI Artists Share Their Stories Through Art

By Beth Walker • Oct 25, 2024
A photo of a person holding their cane admiring a piece of artwork on the wall.

Blog Content

On First Friday in October, the Envision Arts Gallery, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), unveiled the powerful exhibition, Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface. This collaborative exhibition featured artwork by artists who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) from the Envision Arts Program, alongside works by Veteran artists and authors. Together, artists aimed to answer the thought-provoking question, "How do you wish to be seen?" through their unique artistic perspectives. 

With over 100 attendees, the opening night sparked thoughtful conversations as visitors connected with the artists and their work, and encouraged everyone to reflect on how art can communicate experiences and emotions that often go unseen. 

Envision Arts has a history of collaboration with the VA, previously partnering on a pop-up event last May that focused on military sexual trauma, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The event provided Veterans with a therapeutic creative outlet, coordinated by the Dole Veterans Affairs Military Sexual Trauma team. 

Sarah Kephart, Senior Manager of Envision Arts, shared, “This exhibition marks a new chapter of partnership between Envision and the Veterans in our community. Envision Arts Gallery will now host a Veterans exhibition every year in October, further instilling our organizations' values and relationships that ultimately create a healthier community for everyone.” 

Christina Vasquez, Board-Certified Art Therapist and Veteran Art Show Coordinator, reflected on the event, stating, “I am so humbled and grateful for the many interactions I witnessed amongst the Veterans, Envision artists and staff, and attendees. I spoke with one of the Veteran artists after the exhibition, who was so grateful for the visibility and connection this opportunity provides. Thank you!” 

Envision would like to extend our deepest thanks to Whole Health Services at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Christina Vasquez, the Veteran artists, Curtis Tasset, Visual Information Specialist at the VA, and the American Legion Auxiliary for making this exhibition possible. We are honored to build on this partnership with Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface. 

Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface will remain open to the public through November 1st, giving family, friends, and local supporters the chance to experience this empowering exhibition. In celebration of Veterans Day, the gallery will additionally be open on November 9th from 12-3 pm, directly following the Veterans Day Parade in Wichita.