After returning home, a veteran has not only lived through challenging experiences, a veteran is trying to rejoin society in an ever-growing and changing civilian world. While many don’t like to talk about their experiences, some choose to express and heal themselves through art.

“Native Americans and other indigenous tribes used to hold ‘welcome back’ ceremonies to receive warriors back into their community. After WWII, veterans gathered at the VFW and other groups. Today, U.S. veterans are enlisted but not de-listed, meaning there is no re-integration for them,” said Kathleen Ellertson, visual arts coordinator for the Veteran Artist Program. “Arts are a mechanism that society uses to portray, understand, document and effect change. With 22 veteran suicides per day in the U.S., the need for healing, now, is clear.”

The Veteran Artist Program is a nonprofit organization that takes artists who are also veterans and propels their work and careers into the mainstream creative arts community through networking, mentorships and collaborations with professional artists. The program also has a private Facebook community open to the artists to discuss and showcase their work in a safe setting.

“These are veterans who were artists and stepped away to serve,” Ellertson said. “These veterans are either getting back into their art careers, using art to cope or found art while serving.”

In 2012-2013, the program displayed 50 veteran art storyboards in the Pentagon for one year, Ellertson said. Now, those storyboards on display at the El Dorado County Government Center, 360 Fair Lane, Building B, in Placerville.

“Multiple military divisions, art genres and candidate diversity are represented in this show,” she said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to hang all 50, but we have close to 40 on display in Placerville now. We have artists ranging from WWII vets to recent vets returning home.”

The show will be on display through the end of September and is open to the public to view. All storyboards showcase the artwork, the veteran and the veteran’s thoughts on his or her artwork.

“Veterans want to have a life when they return home and don’t necessarily want to talk about their experiences,” she said. “The Veterans Art Program gives the ability to express some of their experiences. As an artist myself, it’s important for me to help promote and showcase the work of our veterans.”

A sampling of artists

Shawn Ganther dreamt of becoming an artist prior to serving in the Air Force from 1998-2002.

His comment on his artwork display reads, “I want Americans to see soldiers as the heroes who fight and die in the name of freedom — and stop and reflect on the privileges they sometimes take for granted.”

Wendi Boggs enjoyed drawing classes throughout high school and college and in 2010 decided to become an art therapist. She served in the Air Force as a Personnel Specialist from 1984-1990.

Her display reads, “She hopes to help others express what they cannot say, to express what others may not see and advocate for those who have and continue to suffer.”

Carlos Paradinha is a 25-year U.S. Navy Veteran. Paradinha studied traditional art, but said photography is his passion. He owns Concept Art in Seattle, Wash. and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art.

His display reads, “His portraits show diverse styles, attitudes and aesthetics. He wants to affect the attitude of the viewer in a positive manner; to create, motivate, educate and inspire other to do the same.”

On display in El Dorado County

Ellertson said she is one of the only coordinators on the West Coast, so she wanted to bring light and awareness to the program. She also wanted to bring the Pentagon display to her own community.

She contacted Bill Schultz, El Dorado County recorder, clerk, registrar of voters, commissioner of marriages and Veterans Affairs director, who was able to help her find a location for the display.

“We have been on display since August and want to invite the public to come out and see what our veterans are capable of. We want to showcase their talents. This is really a wonderful thing,” Schultz said.

Schultz, a veteran himself, joined the Navy in 1952 and retired in 1972 as a Chief Air Traffic Controller. He has worked for El Dorado County for 30 years and was involved in building the Friends of the Veterans Monument in Placerville.

“It takes all kinds of art to explain a story,” he said. “These veterans have to express what they have seen and what they have experienced. Through artwork, veterans can provoke. The artwork gives you a background of what these soldiers have experienced.”

While walking through the displays, Schultz stopped in front of Stephen McCall’s storyboard of his artwork titled, “First In, Last Out,” and whispered, “This one is almost haunting to me.”

“You don’t know what he’s thinking in this photo,” Schultz said. “And it seems like he is wondering what’s ahead of him. He is aware of his surroundings and what is around him. His life is on the line and in the photo, he looks aware, but not scared.”

The storyboard reads, “Stephen McCall (Navy, 1974-1979; Hull Technician) has been a Historical Artist for 22 years. His art training includes a BFA and an MFA. He is also an art instructor at various art centers. His goal as an artist is to create images of historical art that give voice to those who have and still serve.”

For more information on the Veteran Artist Program, call Ellertson at (916) 952-3291, email [email protected] or visit veteranartistprogram.org.