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Three Trainers returned to Eastern Kentucky University in March to lead student veteran and faculty/artist/clinician workshops on campus, coordinated by Veteran Trainee Travis Martin. Two other Trainers led a Women Warriors/Women Clinicians/Women Artists workshop in Atlanta, co-led by Veteran Trainee BriGette McCoy. April workshops include two at a Georgia National Guard Youth Retreat, and an Introductory workshop (April 27) which will also be part of a Phase 2 Training Program weekend.

Trainers and Project America Advisors travel to Walter Reed Medical Center in mid-April to present our Model and our Veteran Peer Training Program at the Second National Summit for the Arts and MIlitary Health. They will also participate in an “open mike” evening, attend a reception at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, and contribute to the development of guidelines for policy, practice, and research in the arts with military and veterans.

Message from the Founder:

Recently I heard a quote from one of our donors, the late Dorothy McClatchey, who said “To be in the moment is to be between the fruits of the past and the seeds of the future”.

How perfectly she captured where The ArtReach Foundation stands at any given moment.

Over the life of this non-profit, now in its fifteenth year, our annual newsletters have reflected on the previous year’s “fruits”. With fruit, there are always seeds for new growth and bounty. ArtReach’s 2012 was no different.

As you read what follows, I ask you to think with me about the seeds that we might sow over the next one, five and more years, so that ArtReach’s mission will successfully reach those who can benefit from the fruits of our labor.

May 2013 be filled with new ideas, mutual respect for difference and cooperation between us to make the world better for all.

Happy New Year!

– Susan Anderson

2012 MEANT PLANTING ARTREACH “SEEDS” FAR AND WIDE

Whether on trips to conduct workshops and speaking engagements in Kentucky or Indiana, as several of our ArtReach:Project America trainers did, or traveling 6,500 miles from home to see first hand an ArtReach workshop in Jordan, as some of our donors did, we made it happen.

Over four years, ArtReach:Project America has moved its work and connections into these states: SC, AL, VA, DC, MN, NY, FL, AZ, NM, TX, KY, GA and IN.

13 down and 37 more to go!

On the Road to East Kentucky U with ArtReach Team: Bill Howerton, Christi O’Hara, Karen McCarty, Barbara Bazemore

Big thanks go to Travis Martin, Ph.D. (pictured at right), a veteran who led the effort to bring us to the military community at EKU. Travis is also editor of their publication, The Journal of Military Experience.

Working on a group mural in an ArtReach workshop at EKU.

Vennegut Memorial Library’s “Healing through the Humanities” was a surprise invitation to present ArtReach:Project America at this Indianapolis event htat made us all smile with pride! Thanks Huge, Karimah and Christi for bringing our initiative to that vet population.

ArtReach Trainers: Hugo Patrocinio and Karimah Dillard

Good Neighbor Day at Epps Airfield in Atlanta in our own state of GA, tireless volunteers took our message and activities to local families.

Kids naturally go for the art supplies…

Board Directors: Terri Whitesel (L) and Priscilla Omega (R)

At a “Stand Down Day” in Columbus, GA, ArtReach delivered its message of help to women veterans who want to tell their stories.

AND THEN HALFWAY AROUND THE GLOBE…

At the Zarqa Community Development Center ArtReach brought its “magic.”

Children in the town of Zarqa made a “web of connection” under the leadership of our faculty-drama therapist, Karimah Dillard, and our art therapist, Edna Bacon.

“Children helping children” was demonstrated by the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble, a/k/a “ArtReach Ambassadors,” who traveled with ArtReach donors to Jordan so that some of their members could dance for our workshop participants.

A trip like this would never be complete without a visit to Petra.

HOW DO WE KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ YOU ASK -
Fundraising, fundraising, and fun-raising!!!

Over the year, creative donors have come our way to offer new ideas and products that would generate $$$ for our programs. Meet some of them –

MiaLena www.mialena.com

Owner and artist MaryBeth Johnson gives us a percentage from each sale of her “Good JuJu” bracelets.

From the Heart www.fromtheart.org

An old friend, Brian Tolleson, brought a fundraising idea to us with the slogan, “You make art. And together, we make a difference.” 100% of the proceeds of these beautiful artworks go to the ArtReach:Project America!

If Only You Imagine www.ifonlyyouimagine.com

This song and video were produced for the use of ARF by ArtistiConnections to promote ArtReach’s work, and make money in any form — sales, tie-ins, licensing, etc. Kudos to Susan’s LA team who made it all happen: Bob Reiher, Jeff Wilkin, Julius Callahan, and Tasia Ann Thomas.

Drawn to Give www.drawntogive.com

While getting started, Drawn to Give contacted us about using our artwork as greeting cards. Its an environmentally friendly platform that works through the sale of “eGreetings” using our artwork.

Meet Our Gala Super Stars!

As new Board Directors, Terri Whitesel and Scott Brady stepped forward to lead us to a successful fundraising event in November. All proceeds support ArtReach:Project America which serves our veterans and their families. The evening’s keynote was Major General James E. Donald who served as Deputy Commanding General for the US Army, Pacific, from June 1998 to August 2000. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm.

We hope Terri, Scott and their committee “worker bees” can hear all the applause!!!

Our Big 2012 Gala — drum roll, please…

Gala Pictures contributed by Renita Folds

Keynote Speaker
MG James Donald (RET USArmy)

ArtReach:Project America” title=”(L-R) Event MC & Board Chair, Christopher Morley, Christi O'Hara and George Wieder, CoChairs of ArtReach:Project America” width=”318″ height=”193″ class=”size-full wp-image-1571″ /> (L-R) Event MC & Board Chair, Christopher Morley, Christi O’Hara and George Wieder, CoChairs of ArtReach:Project America

Project America Veteran Trainers and Trainees:
(L-R) Huge Patrocinio (Marines), General Donald, Christopher Morley, Gayle Curry (Army), BriGette McCoy (Army), Barbara Bazemore (Air Force)

Honored Guests:
Colonel Kathy Platoni & Dr. Ray Scurfield are recognized by Christi O’Hara.

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) – ArtReach’s research partner – (L-R) Dr. Shean Phelps, Susan Anderson, Jeff Moulton, Dr. Courtney Crooks, Tom McDermott, Dr. Dennis Folds, Tim Boone, Christopher Morley

Let Us Brag About…

Kenneth Dutter who was received The Distinguished Award for Service, presented to, for his years of dedicated service to ArtReach. Ken has not only served as a Board Director and Advisor, since 2006, he also has been an outstanding advocate and leader in the establishment of our work in the Middle East. We will be forever grateful for his dedication.

Hugo receiving his award

Hugo Patrocinio, ArtReach Veteran Trainer, is not only one of our “stars,” but he also shines brightly for others. Recently, Huge received the Award of Excellence from “Positive Images” of Ft. Lauderdale whose mission is to empower women, men and their families to become self-sufficient. They provide resources such as clothing banks, HIV prevention workshops, mentoring, and faith-based substance abuse transitional housing programs. Congrats, Hugo!!

Our first book signing!
Launched this fall – War Trauma and Its Wake – Expanding the Circle of Healing. As editors for this extraordinary collection of trauma work associated with combat, Drs. Raymond Scurfield and Katherine Platoni invited Christopher Morley, Christi O’Hara and Susan Anderson to submit a chapter on ArtReach:Project America. We were most honored to have been included with this distinguished group of authors committed to the healing of those who have suffered from war trauma.

Several of the authors attended our 2012 Gala.
(L-R) Dr. John Rigg, Beate Medina, Dr. Christi O’Hara, Dr. Emily Simerly, Dr. Kathy Platoni, Dr. Ray Scurfield, Charles Purinton, Jr., Susan Anderson, Chris Zaglifa

There is Always Much Gratitude

Over time, remarkable volunteers come and go, while others stay to help in various capacities. This year, three of our Board Directors’ terms ended, so we give a big Thank You for their outstanding commitment over the last few years to: Christi O’Hara, Ken Dutter and Debbara Dingman.

Though they have finished serving as Directors, don’t worry – they all will remain as our wise Advisors!

Another steadfast volunteer since 2001! has been John San Miguel, a film and video producer. You may have seen some of John’s work over the years, as several of his videos have been shown on special occasions and are also on our website.

Heartfelt thanks, John, for your years of ongoing support and generosity. You have helped tell our story, and brought others to our cause as a result, and we appreciate you so much for this great gift of your talent and kindness.

And finally, we would like to recognize the years of pro bono legal services from Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi. Whether it was to help us take that first step in 1999 to register as a non-profit, have RKMC partners sit on our Board, or participate as a major sponsor for various fundraising events, the firm has solidly been there for us.

ArtReach Foundation Promotional Video from Zeena Lattouf on Vimeo.

Snippet:

When I attended an organizational meeting for the newly formed ArtReach Foundation in Duluth in 1999, founder, Susan Anderson blissfully explained her proposed mission of taking art supplies to war torn Bosnia to help children emotionally heal from the trauma of war. To me, it all seemed overwhelming. To Anderson it was just a matter of following Joseph Campbell’s words: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

Read more here: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2012/nov/10/larson-reaching-out-to-veterans-with-artreach/

This retreat marked the fourth consecutive year that Project America Trainers have brought our Model to Warrior Family Retreats in partnership with the Fort Gordon WTB and Eisenhower Army Medical Center Chaplains. These Retreats use a Mind/Body/Heart/Spirit model, incorporating the Army’s Strong Bonds programs.

This “Wine and Sign” is open to the public at no charge, and will be held at Petite Auberge Restaurant, Toco Hills Shopping Center, Atlanta. Both editors, Ray Scurfield DSW and Dr. Kathy Platoni, COL USAR, will be present as well as chapter editors Emily Simerly, PhD (Veterans in the Criminal Justice System), Charles Peninton Jr LTC VTUSAR (Military Chaplains), Beate Medina (surviving spouses), Chris Zaglifa (Military Sexual Trauma), and Jack Rigg MD (TBI/PTSD). Join us for this unique opportunity to meet leaders from around the country and have them sign your copy! Books available for purchase at 25% discount.

Just in time for holiday shopping, we invite you to visit MiaLena Designs page and learn about its Founder, Mary Beth Johnson. Marybeth lives in Tuscon and became aware of ArtReach’s work during our “Breaking the Veils U.S.Tour” in 2009.

At that time, Mary Beth met by chance our Tour Co-Chair, Katrina Griessman and learned about our mission. Since then, she has held the idea of one day making a bracelet to sell that would also benefit our cause by sharing a percentage of her sales. Today, her intention and unique style is doing just that.

Even at first glance, the prayer bead bracelets have a compelling presence. Whether it is their inherent significance, or the rich, organic colors, shapes and textures that Marybeth chooses, her jewelry commands attention. She uses beads from all over the world that convey a sense of history. “I love to use old beads and pendants that have meaning and life of their own,” she says. “I love to hold them in my hand and think about where they came from and who made them.”

Follow the link to her creations: http://www.mialena.com/collections/good-juju-bracelets/artreach-foundation. These bracelets are inspiring and meaningful, and we are awed by Mary Beth’s kindness and generosity. Thank you again, Mary Beth, for supporting our cause and joining in our dream to help those who have suffered from the wounds of war, natural disaster and violence. We wish you the best of luck in your continued creative endeavors. You have been certainly held the intention to become an angel to our Foundation.