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The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) is honored to be partnering with the Veterans Art Project (VETART) in hosting a virtual Statewide Pop-Up Community Creative Arts Café. This curated interactive virtual event will feature Northern California artists who have served in the United States Armed Forces and include presentations by art and music therapists who work within the community.

Ehren Tool, Marine, makes cups for families and others affected by war in order to start conversations about unspeakable things; Lilith Meredith, Air Force, creates booklets, journals, sketchbooks, address books and self-published ‘zines while teaching the basics of bookbinding; Don Bravo, Marine, creates sculptures from recycled materials which gives him the spiritual energy he needs to help him deal with PTSD; and Ramekon O’Arwisters, art therapist, has participants collaborate with strips of material at rag-rug-making events called Crochet Jams with a focus on healing, relaxing and fostering positive human connection.

An Invocation and Land Acknowledgement will be offered, along with a moderated Listening Session. In addition, viewers will be introduced to mental health resources available in service to our veteran community. The project receives ongoing support from California’s Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission (MHSOAC).

The free event will be livestreamed on Saturday, May 22 from 2 to 5:30pm. Click here to register: https://pheedloop.com/VETARTmoncaCAFE/site/home/. 

VETART’s Pop-Up Art Cafés are part of a statewide campaign, sponsored by and in collaboration with California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), with the overarching arts advocacy goal of generating awareness of the critical role the arts play in benefitting the mental wellness of veterans, family members, caregivers, community members, and active duty personnel. Virtual cafés will take place in the California counties of San Diego, Yuba-Sutter, Butte, Tulare, Los Angeles, and Alameda, and will culminate with a convening in Sacramento in June 2021. More VETART Pop-Up Art Cafes will be scheduled to take place across the state in 2022 and 2023.

The Museum of Northern California Art and Veterans
The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) is deeply connected to the local veteran community. It is housed in the former Veterans Memorial Hall and has a permanent historical display in the lobby. Major exhibitions of work by artists who are veterans are held biannually. Veterans Voices, the current show at monca, will be on display through May 30.