Veterans Art Day

The Indianapolis Art Center is hosting a day of FREE art-making workshops for veterans and active military members on Saturday, November 12. Make It Take it workshops will be available in glassblowing, ceramics, sculpture, wood, textiles, jewelry, printmaking, photo, painting, and more! And new to Veterans Art Day this year, we even have a workshop that incorporates mixed media and meditation!

Also new to this year’s event, and based on feedback from previous participants, we have decided to open up more sections of our most popular workshops. So this year, we are offering morning and afternoon sessions of glassblowing, wood, and welding!

Veterans Art Day is a one-day event designed to honor and connect veterans through the fun and healing that comes from creating in a hands-on environment. Veterans and members of the Armed Forces who are active or retired, from any branch, of any rank, of any age are all welcome to participate in these workshops.

Studies suggest that engagement in art and creativity can have a transformative effect on veterans adjusting to life after service. Art has the power to heal and the power to build community, which is exactly what this day is all about! Our Veterans Art Day activities are intended to bring a community of peers together by giving them a creative space to learn new skills and meet new people. This day also gives the Art Center staff and organizers a chance to honor and show our gratitude to veterans for their immeasurable sacrifices and bravery.

On Veterans Art Day, we will also celebrate ArtTroop—a free bi-weekly program for veterans and active-duty members that meet from January-October. Traditionally, this day has marked the closing of the ArtTroop Exhibition. This year, the opening of their exhibition will coincide with Veterans Art Day. This will give attendees a chance to observe their work on display, meet the ArtTroopers, ask them questions about the program, and learn how to apply for the following year.