Art Matters—A Closer Look at VBMA Programs for Veterans
Posted December 20, 2024
The Vero Beach Museum of Art provides U. S. Military Veterans with opportunities for creative expression in museum gallery and art studio settings. Classes are free of charge for veterans residing in Indian River County.
The VBMA spoke with Air Force Veteran, retired firefighter, and one of Florida’s first fire-rescue paramedics, Pierce Theakston, and his wife Tandy, a retired nurse, about their recent experience with VBMA Programs for Veterans.
VBMA—How did you learn about VBMA’s programs for Veterans?
Tandy—We’re new members—we had been seasonal up until this year and became full-time—and we received a brochure in the mail. I saw classes for veterans and classes for Tai Chi—for me—so I pointed it out to him.
Pierce—At first, I had some degree of reluctance. I didn’t know. But I like photography. It sounded like a very interesting thing to do. And I needed something to help me get back out.
VBMA—What ultimately prompted you to enroll?
Pierce—To take advantage of learning something, to get me back into a learning environment. As you get older, you need to keep those brains stimulated.
VBMA—Tell us what it felt like coming to class for the first time.
Pierce—It was good to know that other people attending were people like me, veterans. I felt an immediate connection with (instructor) Aric (Attas) because he’s a two-time cancer patient like myself, and he brought that up right away, sharing something very personal with us. And right off the bat, the kindness of the Museum. The class was in the evening around dinnertime, and they said they were taking care of that, too, and fed us.
VBMA—Tandy, when Pierce came back from those classes, how did that feel?
Tandy—There was no question when he got home from the first one that he was going to continue it, and not just on the class day. He started working on his photos that night and the next morning and really throughout the week. I was a little surprised at the level of enthusiasm, even after the first class.
I was so impressed with how valuable it seemed for him, and he was very focused on working on the project to be prepared for next week. It seemed to bring him a lot of joy. I thought, well, this just really worked out. I’m so glad he did it.
VBMA—What was one of your favorite class projects?
Pierce—Lines. Our assignment for the week was “lines.” What? What does he (Aric) want? And he (Aric) wouldn’t say any more than that. And I remember after I stepped out the door—my God, there’s lines everywhere. And I am taking pictures of lines—even the stairs in front of me. And now, I’m really excited about lines.
Class was expanding your perception and creativity. It wasn’t about mechanics…it wasn’t that at all. It pertains to how you see things.
VBMA—Thank you both for sharing your experiences, and thank you, Pierce, for your service to our nation. Before we sign off, what would you say to a fellow veteran who is considering taking a class at VBMA?
Pierce—The kindness of the museum to do this. It’s a fantastic experience to get back and feel a connection with, you know, other people you share this with. In 50 years of being a veteran no one’s reached out like that.
Tandy—To take the chance. It turned out to be such an incredibly positive experience to tell someone to take the chance.
