Charlotte Arts Institution And Veteran's Group Team To Hold Veteran's Open House
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - ncarol.com -- Appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans and the daily battles they face after they come home is growing in Charlotte – quite literally at Charlotte Art League (CAL). CAL, one of the city's oldest arts institutions, created a Giving Tree that has raised $1300 to date for veteran's healing arts programs, and they will officially unveil the tree and share more about the programs it will fund at a free Veteran's Open House on September 26 from 4-5 p.m.

Held in conjunction with Support Her B.O.O.T.S, a Charlotte non-profit that supports female veterans, the catered Veteran's mixer will feature a DJ and "will introduce our Healing Arts programs," explains Jim Dukes, CAL's Executive Director. "This will allow veterans to discover CAL, meet the instructors and mingle with other potential attendees in an open and welcoming environment. Vets can learn about the program, start signing up for it, and do some art while they are there by painting hearts that will go on the tree."

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Launched on Earth Day 2020 and created by CAL artist Erin Morse, the two-story Giving Tree was built from repurposed materials and incorporates photos of donors in a layer of paper mache. CAL artist Amy Hughes created painted rocks through the #704kindnessrocksproject, which were available for a donation as the tree was "growing."

Donations completely funded this initial round of Healing Arts Programs, which have a deeply personal meaning for Dukes, who has been facilitating these types of programs for years and filmed a TED Talk about their positive impact. "It's a non-therapeutic way to facilitate conversation in an environment that allows veterans to freely express what they are feeling," he notes.

The September 26 event is free and open to all veterans. Donations for continuing support of future Healing Arts programs are always appreciated and accepted.

About Charlotte Art League: Founded in 1965, Charlotte Art League has served as an accessible gateway to the arts experience for art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. CAL relies on annual membership dues, studio rentals, donations, and grants to sustain its activities. Membership in CAL is open to emerging artists, professional artists, art educators, art patrons, and anyone else committed to the vital role that the arts play in building a strong, vibrant, and diverse community. More info: http://www.charlotteartleague.org.