Art program helps veterans across the country connect

WASHINGTON — There are many organizations dedicated to assisting veterans, but not many provide that help through art.

Uniting US is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to inspire, empower, and unite military, veterans, their families and the communities in which they live through the arts.” People from all across the country can participate in the program

Right now, work from some of the Uniting US artists is on display at the Honfleur Gallery in Washington, D.C.

“This exhibition is very special because of the nature of the artwork that’s being shown. It’s veteran art and it’s varied,” said Phil Hutinet, publisher of East City Art.

The co-founder of Uniting US, AnnMarie Halterman, hopes that the program’s exhibits highlight the individuality of each veteran as well as their common experiences.

Halterman didn’t grow up an artist. She discovered art as a form of therapy after serving about seven years in the military and suffering from an injury. She said that while dealing with trauma from her last deployment her doctors told her to find an outlet.

“I picked fly fishing and I had to make ties,” she said.

She ended up messing with the metal and created a small sculpture of a bike. The bike represented where she had been and where she was going. She said the small sculpture inspired this whole program.

Uniting US has numerous art showings in the Washington area right now, but the program is not just about creating visual art. Kentucky native Matthew Gill said Uniting US gives him a platform to share his love of music.

“Oftentimes when you have challenging situations physically, it causes you to concentrate on things you can’t do. Uniting US makes me concentrate on things I can do, and the good I can bring,” Gill said.

The program encourages people from all across the country to participate. Visit UnitingUS.org to learn more.