MusicWorks4Veterans is a member of the WAM cohort. Veteran and MW4V project manager John Selzer has been using the power of music to bring music to veterans being treated at VA locations and veteran residential facilities in the state of Washington.
MusicWorks4Veterans jam session. Photo by Gabriella Smith.

Wellness, Arts, and the Military

Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) supports the growth of artists and arts organizations who have arts and wellness programs for military connected communities. WAM began in 2017 as a Community Connections Project supported by the NEA Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network. Through summits, convenings, and key partnerships, the WAM program has grown to include arts programming grants, training, funding, and outreach.


Wellness, Arts, and the Military in the news

đź“° Feature: Tom Roberts, Self-Directed Art Practice (SAP) grantee

đź“° Feature: Kathleen Casper, Self-Directed Art Practice (SAP) grantee

Veterans Day Pickleball Tournament Winners
Vet Corps Member, Sa Faumuina hosting ArtsWA and Lacey MakerSpace Tables
Tournament Players
Veterans Playing Pickleball
Trophies
Trophies
23|Kitchens Owner Joshua Carpenter being presented Thank You Paddle on behalf of WAM
WAM’s Program Manager, Bryan Bales with his own customized Pickleball Paddle
Ian Crocker, Tacoma Arts Live Art Educator
Doug White, Music Works 4 Veterans Board Member
Veterans Day Pickleball Tournament Winners

WAM events


Veterans Victory on the Court | On November 11, 2023, WAM collaborated with a new Veteran Owned business, 23|Kitchens in hosting a Pickleball Tournament to honor and celebrate Veterans. Tournament trophies were designed and made by Veteran Artists with the help of Lacey MakerSpace. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about military connected art organizations to include MusicWorks4Veterans and Tacoma Arts Live while competing in a Social and Competitive Tournament.

Sa Faumuina, Vet Corps Member for WAM, said: “Art and Sports go hand in hand. Each an avenue of promoting healing and wellness.”

Click below to learn more about the event supporters:

23|Kitchens

Lacey MakerSpace

MusicWorks4Veterans

Tacoma Arts Live

Black Frog Creations LLC

Pictures courtesy of 23|Kitchens.


Kara Atkinson & Gabriella Smith at a WAM card writing event.

Card Writing Event | On January 31, 2023, Gabriella Smith from ArtsWA and Kara Atkinson from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) hosted a card writing event for deployed soldiers oversees. PLUs students participated during their lunch breaks.

Kirill Perfiliev, a third year ROTC student, said: “I know my art is going to put a smile on someone’s face and it [the card writing event] was the highlight of my day.”

Pictured: Kara Atkinson & Gabriella Smith at a WAM card writing event.

WAM Winter Convening | The WAM Winter Convening took place December 3, 2021. Topics included military culture and transitions, suicide awareness, networking, outreach, and grants. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording by clicking here, or by watching in the player below.


MusicWorks4Veterans (MW4V) Performance at the Tacoma Recovery Center and Café (TRC) |  In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, MW4V members gathered at the Tacoma Recovery Center and Café on May 19, 2022 to play music and share stories about mental health. TRC offered people mental health resources as well as food, clothing, and personal hygiene items. Thank you to Doug White, the Tacoma Recovery Center Veterans Program Manager, for coordinating this volunteer-based event.


Lacey Vet Con | A free event held on April 30, 2022, with comics, board games, and guest speakers for veterans and the military connected community, hosted by the Lacey Veterans Services Hub. Attendees brought comics to the event and shared their collections with others. Thank you to the Lacey Veteran Services Hub volunteers, guest speakers, and to all who attended. 

Wellness, Arts, and the Military Spotlight

Marine Veteran Artist Jake Powell and Army Veteran/Executive Director of PNW Vet Assist Program, Jim Armstrong
Marine Veteran Artist Michael Reagan (Left) and fellow Veteran standing in front of Portraits from the Fallen Heroes Portrait Project
Vietnam Veteran Ken Yohe standing next to his artwork titled "Lighthouse"
Attendees consisted of local Veteran Artists, Community Members and Gold Star Families who lost a loved one as a result of their Military Service
Veteran Art Gallery
Vet Corps Member Sa Faumuina and Executive Director of PNW Vet Assist Program Jim Armstrong
PNW Vet Assistance Program description
Marine Veteran Artist Jake Powell and Army Veteran/Executive Director of PNW Vet Assist Program, Jim Armstrong

Operation Paint to Heal

Pacific Northwest Veteran Assistance Program is a charitable organization that supports Veteran brothers and sisters who have served our country and are in emotional and financial need. One of their services is “Operation Paint to Heal” where they provide painting events for Veterans and their families to build a community of healing with Art. On January 10, 2024, PNW Veteran Assistance Program and the Lynwood Arts Commission hosted a Veteran Art Exhibit Reception for the community at Lynwood City Hall.  The event featured artwork by Marine Veterans, Jake Powell, Michael Reagan and fellow local Veteran Artists and Military Family Members. WAM had the honor of tabling this remarkable event where further outreach occurred in championing the profound impacts of art within the military community.

Click below to learn more about the Organizations:

PNW Vet Assist Program: pnwveteranassist.org

Fallen Heroes Project: fallenheroesproject.org

MusicWorks4Veterans

is a veteran service organization that expands access to music by hosting community music programs. As a long-standing member of the Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Program, MW4V partners with WAM by participating in music outreach events for veterans and military connected people.

Video of MW4V’s performance of “Lonestar” (Norah Jones) featuring Gabriella Smith, Vet Corps Navigator for the WAM program, produced by MusicWorks4Veterans.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Wellness, Arts, and the Military program, please contact:

Bryan Bales, Program Manager, Wellness, Arts, and the Military

360-485-1516

bryan.bales@arts.wa.gov 

Daniya Baisubanova, ArtsWA WAM Program Specialist: daniya.baisubanova@arts.wa.gov

Gabriella Smith, ArtsWA WAM Administrative Assistant: gabriella.smith@arts.wa.gov

Sa Faumuina, ArtsWA WAM Vet Corps Member: sa.faumuina@arts.wa.gov