By Ellen Greeley, Senior Advisor and Special Assistant
New York City’s Department of Veterans’ Services would like to give a special shout out to the Salmagundi Club and all the Veteran artists participating in the “I Dream of Peace” fused art glass exhibit at the Salmagundi Club. The group of Veteran artists — including Mesha Thomas, Manny Vasquez, Bob Smith, Ramona Jamerson, Michael Beckett, Eugene Gallo, Mickey Payton, Carolos Cole, Ed Lapushchik, Sheridan Dean, Steve Goodman, Tara Traister, Denise Hetsberger, Sheldon Velazquez, George Robertson, Richard Valley, Kevin Elder, and Cametrice Allen — take part in the Creative Arts Program of the Veterans Support Center located at the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System in Brooklyn and led by Art Therapist Beryl Brenner.
Brenner’s inspiration for the exhibit she curated draws from her 39-year career working with Veterans. She believes that “it is fairly universal that most people dream of peace, but Veterans want peace in a way that is more heightened because of the extreme demands that are made on their hearts and souls.” She further asserts that “although many jobs place people in physical danger, there is no profession that does this to the extent that the military does. Even when wars and traumas are long over, the adverse effects can linger for a lifetime affecting families and communities alike.”
The individual art works are composed of donated Bullseye glass which Brenner points out “is fragile and beautiful, like peace.” Salmagundi Club’s President Robert W. Pillsbury and Board Member Karen Loew hosted the opening of the exhibitthat included a moderated panel of Veteran artists: Charles Hanley, Johnathan Jordan, Mickey Patton, George Roberston, and Richard Valley. They discussed the value of art therapy program in healing them from war and trauma.
The Salmagundi Club, located at 47 Fifth Avenue at 12th Street in Manhattan, is the oldest arts club in NYC and the second oldest in the nation. The Club has a long tradition of bridging the military and civilian divide by sponsoring the Coast Guard Art Program Committee chaired By Ms. Loew and mounting arts exhibits reflecting military duty and patriotism including works appearing as part of the annual Coast Guard Art Program.
“I Dream of Peace is on display until January 1st and free of charge to the public.
