WRITTEN BY CASEY BERNARD
Artwork created by more than 40 Maine veterans is currently on display as part of the annual Maine Veterans Art Exhibit hosted by the Maine Arts Commission. Artworks ranging from photography, painting, sculpture, and crafts will be on display at the State Capitol in Augusta, as well as the Burton M. Cross Office Building and the Maine Arts Commission offices, from Oct. 8 through Feb. 28, 2025.
The program is part of a larger effort by the Maine Arts Commission to support Maine Veterans and encourage their participation in the arts. The artwork in the show is as varied as the veterans who participate and does not necessarily incorporate military subject matter, although some do. The call for submissions went out in September and veterans could submit up to two pieces of work.
“We know that art is healing and can be medicine for veterans,” said Khristina Kurasz, program director at the Maine Arts Commission. “Many veterans will say that art saved their lives.”
The featured artists will be celebrated at a ceremony on Nov. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Togus Theater in Chelsea. The event, a collaboration between the Maine Arts Commission, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Service, Togus VA, and the Quilts of Valor Foundation, will include live music and poetry as well as a panel discussion featuring veteran artists.
At the ceremony approximately 11 local veterans will be awarded with a custom-made quilt from Quilts of Valor, a nationwide non-profit organization that awards quilts to veterans who have been touched by war. Local volunteer Sharon Ann Paradis works with quilters across Maine to volunteer their skills to sew quilts designed with the individual veteran in mind. The volunteers receive a profile of each veteran and thoughtfully choose a quilt design that is a unique expression of gratitude for that particular veteran.
“A quilt is a piece of art and to be able to wrap veterans in a quilt is an act of love,” Kurasz said.
Although half of the artists exhibiting this year are new to the exhibit, the Maine Arts Commission recognizes the opportunity to grow the program and offer more opportunities to Maine’s veteran artists. This year, the commission created a dedicated page on its website with resources for veterans, including links to artist residency programs, fellowships, and workshops.
Kurasz is married to a disabled veteran and artist, and understands first-hand the importance of art to the life of veterans. This year, in addition to managing the local veterans art exhibit, she is working with organizations in the Maine art community to encourage them to apply for the Creative Forces Grant, a program through the National Endowment for the Arts. The Creative Forces Grant awards grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for arts-based community engagement projects focused on military-connected communities. The grants have yet to be granted to any Maine nonprofits and Kurasz sees the opportunity for non-clinical art programs and residencies in Maine to take advantage of these grants to further support Maine veterans.
Resources for veteran artists can be found at the Maine Arts Commission website at mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Services/Veteran-Artist-Resources.
