CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Montgomery County Veterans Coalition is celebrating Veteran artisans and craftsmen at the 2024 MCVC Art Expo. “Unmasking the Veteran Spirit” showcases the diverse talents and experiences of Veterans through various forms of artistic mediums.

The Veteran Art Expo provides a platform for Veterans to share their stories, emotions and experiences through art while also fostering a sense of community. From paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed media, the expo features a wide range of artistic creations, each offering a unique perspective on the Veteran experience. The powerful masks component offers an introspective reflection of each Veteran’s journey.

“Our mission at the Montgomery County Veterans Coalition is to support and honor our Veterans in every possible way,” said CC Wheeler, Executive Director of the Coalition. “The Veteran Art Expo is a testament to the creativity, resilience and talent of our Veteran community. It’s an opportunity for Veterans to express themselves artistically and for the community to appreciate their contributions beyond their service in uniform.”

Last year local Veterans attended a mask painting workshop at Austin Peay hosted by the Coalition and supported by AARP of Middle Tennessee. In the workshop Veterans were encouraged to paint the inside of their masks to represent how they perceive themselves, and the outside to represent how they think they are perceived by others. The Veterans were given the choice to participate in the next step of being photographed with their masks and the results being on display in the exhibit. Not every Veteran chose to share their masks, while some took theirs to work on later after processing the thoughts and emotions from the workshop experience.

“We believe that art has the power to heal, inspire, and unite,” said Sherry Pickering, founder of MCVC and now a Veteran Outreach Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Veteran Services. “Through the Veteran Art Expo, we are harnessing that power to create a positive impact in the lives of our Veterans and the broader community.”

The Montgomery County Veterans Coalition invites Veterans, their families, art enthusiasts, and the public to visit the Art Expo at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center now through April 7th.

For more information about the Montgomery County Veterans Coalition, visit vetcoalition.org.