Canvas & Camaraderie Veterans Art Workshop

Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/gSc6uW8NKaHMTXa18

Open to:
All US Veterans, their partners, survivors.

Cost:
$25

Class Dates:
Friday February 5th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm
Friday February 12th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm
Friday February 19th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm
Friday February 26th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm
Friday March 5th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm
Friday March 12th 2027, 11:00-12:30pm

Class Curriculum:
Beyond developing artistic skills, participants in Art for Veterans will find meaningful self-expression, build social connection, and discover a renewed sense of purpose. Creating art is widely recognized to reduce stress and improve overall mood, and as students experience these benefits, they will be free to create artwork that reflects their own personal experiences and perspectives.

In Art for Veterans, students will express themselves through the unique life experiences, knowledge, and perspectives they bring to the class. Veterans will tell their own stories through art, drawing upon their individual strengths and abilities. Every artist, regardless of skill level, will set achievable creative goals and experience personal growth through the artistic process. This is where the enhancement of purpose becomes especially meaningful.

Military veterans already share a strong sense of community through their common experiences, language, and understanding of esprit de corps. In this class, art will provide them with a new form of connection and communication. Group critiques and discussions of visual elements will encourage interaction, support, and camaraderie while expanding their artistic community.

Students will be introduced to foundational art elements such as value, line, color, composition, and design. Watercolor will be the primary medium, and students will learn essential techniques including color mixing, washes, layering, and glazing. They will also practice pencil sketching and image composition to prepare for watercolor painting.

Ultimately, participants will create original works of art filled with personal energy and meaning while working in a relaxed, supportive, and enjoyable environment.

About the instructor:

Chester Kasnowski served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, where he was assigned to work with NASA in support of the Apollo moon missions. He went on to teach art and retired from the Smithsonian Institution. His work is held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and other institutions, and he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont Council on the Arts. A prolific exhibitor with many solo and group shows, including gallery representation in New York City, he has also been honored at an Indiana Plein Air exhibition. He lives and paints in Bloomington, IN, and is a member of the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association and the Bloomington Plein Air Association.