Mesa Arts Center (MAC) will host an open house for veterans, military and their families, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, 10 a.m. to noon, to introduce the newest Engagement program, Arts in Service. The free event will provide an opportunity for veterans, service members and their families to explore MAC Art studios, try various art forms and meet studio instructors for the program. In-person registration for the Arts in Service class will begin during the open house on Jan. 13.
Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, Mesa Arts Center will provide free creative pathways for veterans and active duty service members to use studio arts experiences in reaching their personal goals, whether those are finding a supportive community, stress relief, working toward overall health and wellness, or pursuing career interests in art-making.
Classes to be offered through the Arts in Service program include:
Intro to Printmaking for Military Personnel
Beginning Flameworking for Military Personnel
Learn to Paint with Watercolors for Military Personnel
Jewelry: Beginning Fabrication for Military Personnel
Beginning Welding for Military Personnel
Discover Clay for Military Personnel
For those not attending the open house event, Arts in Service class registration will begin Sunday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. online and by phone at mesaartscenter.com or 480-644-6520. Classes are only open to veterans or active military personnel.
"We are so excited to develop our programs to further engage those who serve our country," said Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center. "There is tremendous evidence from both research and experience that the arts offer many kinds of therapeutic benefits, from reducing feelings of isolation to providing new means of self-expression, in addition to offering fun, relaxation, and creative exploration."
"Boeing supports our veterans and active military members by investing in community programs such as Arts in Service, which eliminate barriers and create pathways for our heroes and their families to successfully reintegrate back into society and our workforce," said Boeing Arizona Community Investor Mary Baldwin.
To inquire about the specifics of this program, email engagement@mesaartscenter.com. As details become available, they will be posted to www.mesaartscenter.com/artsinservice. Mesa Arts Center is located at 1 East Main Street in downtown mesa.