The Warrior Art Movement

A Place to Connect and Share

Hello and Welcome!!!

This blog has one basic and focused purpose:
To create a full and living list of all the current (and recent) art projects/initiatives/organizations/collectives that are focused on using the arts to give voice to the warrior's experience and connect that voice to our communities.

There is a movement that has existed since the first time a warrior carved or painted their story on a rock or in the dirt. This movement has always been about sharing the pure voice of the person who has lived through sacrifice, service, and pain. Sharing these voices and experiences THROUGH ART with the broader community is a critical part of our collective understanding of war and service, and most importantly a critical part of a warrior's homecoming (whatever that homecoming entails). Some of the narratives remain the same through time. We need look no farther than the work of Sophocles and other ancient warrior-artists to discover this fact.

Narratives become performance, visual art, graffiti, tattoo, dance, sculpture, poetry, prose, song, and more.
Now we have the internet. We have social media. We have the means of sharing and connecting art and community in amazing and creative ways. Now in this landscape, after 11 years of prolonged American wartime, there is a newly invigorated movement arising. I created this blog and common space to honor that movement and help connect anyone, anywhere, that is a part of it. My hope is that this may be one of many spaces on the Web that helps connect people to all things Warrior Art related. My hope is that we learn more and more about what the organizations and projects in this movement are doing, and connect to one another in solidarity.

DISCLAIMER: I have no political or organizational agenda here. My motivations are simply to collect and share information, and help promote the wide array of groups and organizations that already exist that are working to grow this movement. There are many parts of this movement. Some projects are all about memorial, some about finding a new life, some about social change, about personal healing, about activism, about growing community.... My hope is that this space (and whatever it grows into!) is welcome to all of these forces.

Thank you for what you do. Thank you for reading these words. Thank you for helping add to this effort.

IF YOU ARE A PART OF, OR KNOW ABOUT, A GROUP OR PROJECT THAT IS NOT YET POSTED, PLEASE ADD THE LINK, THE ART ITSELF, OR ANY KEY INFO AS A COMMENT.

In service and art,

David

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Continuum...

One of the things that I honor the most about this movement is that it has been around for so much of human history. From cave painting, to war dance, to Greek tragedy performed by, and for, warriors. This blog, the many groups and projects I highlight here, the efforts of the artists creating new work right this minute, and all the rest..... We are all points on a continuum. One that has been changing people and their communities for thousands of years.

This was brought home to me recently when I discovered
Arts of War on the Web
This blog by Marc Leepson is "Vietnam Veterans of America’s up-to-the-minute compendium of information, news and reviews about the arts—movies, television, stage plays, musicals, music, dance, popular and fine arts, and more—that deal with Vietnam veterans and the Vietnam War.
This web page replaces the “Arts of War” column that ran in Vietnam Veterans of America’s national magazine, The VVA Veteran, from 1986-2009."
Marc is always posting amazing art work, links, memorials, etc. and this ongoing project is an important reminder that there is always a devoted and passionate person that came before you, setting an example and inspiring others. So keep a close eye on Marc's blog and here's a big thanks to him and everyone at VVA!

And speaking of blogs......

If you haven't checked it out already, make sure you have the Warrior Writers blogspot on your reading list. This is a great way see fresh poetry, prose and other work; and to stay connected to this amazing community of artists.

Another web-based showcase and marketplace of Warrior Art is the
Veterans Arts and Crafts Gallery .
Here, not only can you explore arts and crafts of many different media created by Veterans, but it also helps with that all important link to help warrior artists sell their work and support themselves.

When I speak to people in the community about warriors and their journeys home, I often hear something like, "I really feel for them and hear they're having a hard time, but I just don't know what I can do in a direct way to help support them."

One response I like to give is, BUY THEIR ART.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Journaling and Gathering

More and more warriors are heading back to the classroom. With the new G.I. Bill, more and more of our college campuses are building and growing Veteran community and solidarity. If you want to see a lot of the cutting edge of what the Warrior Art Movement is doing, take a look at some of the amazing activities being brought to life by Veteran Student Associations around the country.

The crew at Eastern Kentucky University is taking the lead in a fabulous way with the creation of the Journal of Military Experience. Check it out! They are also organizing the first Military Experience and Arts Symposium this Summer, July 5-7. This is FREE and just the sort of gathering that is critical to the sharing of ideas, experiences, and skills related to warrior art.

Are you a member of a Veteran student group? Are you busy engaging your campus and community through art or creative expression?
Please leave a comment here and share your experiences and web links!

And speaking of incredible gatherings coming soon....
If you're going to be anywhere in the Bay area don't miss the 4th Annual SHOUT!: Art by Women Veterans
coming up May 9.

from their website:
"Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based veteran service organization, developed a unique way to engage with women veterans: SHOUT!: Art by Women Veterans. SHOUT! was inspired by the notion that the arts encourage expression and healing. SHOUT! raises awareness about the issues facing women veterans and explores the intersections of art, community, health and healing.
SHOUT! is an ongoing effort in its fourth year that sprouted from the fact that the needs of women veterans are largely unrecognized and unmet. The unique needs of women veterans were not being met and Swords wanted to ensure that they had access to the care and support they needed.
May 9, 2012 6 – 10 pm
San Francisco Women’s Building ♦ 3543 18th Street ♦ San Francisco CA 94110 "

Way to keep the movement strong Plowshares!

Gratefully,
David