By Debra Torrence

Nationwide, Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities use the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. Here in Beaufort County, the Arts of the Pamlico has teamed up with several groups over the past year, including a Veterans Day event coordinated by Blount Rumley and Pat Capehart Brown to screen Lafayette Escadrille on Veterans Day 2017 and Rock the Pamlico and the Disabled American Veterans to host a benefit music concerts.

Next week, the Pamlico Rose Institute for Sustainable Communities will partner with AOP in support of the first Healing Arts Vets Weekend in Washington, May 31-June 2. The weekend is a fundraising benefit for PRISC and is chock-full of art activities for female veterans and other veteran populations.

Maryalice Johnston, a local award-winning artist, has been commissioned to create a signature work for PRISC, which will be available in poster format for $25 at AOP.

All are invited to take in the free art activities, come together in community, learn more about support for and celebrate our military veterans. All events are free, with donations appreciated. Below is the schedule for art activities. For a full weekend schedule, visit www.pamlicorose.org/healing-vets-weekend/.

May 31

4:30-5:30 p.m. — Art Therapy Workshop at Arts of the Pamlico with Gayla Elliott.

5:30-7 p.m. — Opening reception of the Military Veteran Artist exhibit at the Turnage Theatre with Beaufort County Traditional Music Association members wearing military insignia.

June 1

7 p.m. — A TEDx-like series of talks, VET Talks-IBX (Inner Banks), at the Turnage Theatre, featuring recognized speakers that will explore different dimensions and experiences of healing for female veterans.

8:30 p.m. — Concert by the high-energy band Squier Red to benefit the Artful and Healing Gardens project associated with Rose Haven and co-sponsored by the Arts of the Pamlico.

For more information on these and other great events at Arts of the Pamlico, visit www.artsofthepamlico.org. Contributed by Debra Torrence, AOP executive director, and Crystal Holman, weekend coordinator.