Omar Columbus is many things: a Washington native and 1994 Washington High School graduate; an Air Force veteran, trained first in logistics, then in intelligence; a combat veteran. But these days, Columbus has turned his attention to the arts. He’s a poet, photographer and now the curator of “From There to Here: Military Veterans’ Experiences,” an exhibit of military veterans’ art and writing opening Monday at Salmagundi, New York City’s oldest artists’ club.

Featuring more than 40 artists, the exhibit spans a range of genres: photography, painting, sculpture, collage and combat paper art — “frontline paper,” a process in which camouflage military uniforms are turned into a pulp, then recreated into paper art.

“The exhibition intends to foster a better understanding and dialogue within and between the military and civilian communities,” reads a press release from Salmagundi.

For Columbus, it’s so much more. It’s about healing.

Columbus served as an intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom. First misdiagnosed with a seizure disorder, he was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and after 12 years of service was medically separated from the military. He settled in New York City in 2007 and traded his weapons and combat gear for a camera, paper and pen.

He started with Warrior Writers, a group of writers performing war poems at various venues in NYC. Then he picked up photography, part of the same impulse to create in the face of destructive thoughts.

“When the world is crazy, I can make something beautiful, find some beauty somewhere, because the things we see can be ugly,” Columbus said. “My poetry helps me digest the things that I’ve been through. It helps me heal.”

As Columbus began to find success, he truly found his calling, not only as an artist but as an advocate for both art and veterans. Columbus made an appearance on “Good Morning America,” interviewed by Robin Roberts about his poetry and how art therapy helps veterans with PTSD. His work began to sell in a Manhattan gallery. But the opportunity to curate a show of veteran artists from across the nation, representing all branches of the military, melds his passion for art with his passion for helping fellow veterans.

“I’m taking this opportunity and bringing together artistic representation from all of the various organizations that I have been involved with since living in NYC. These organizations have helped me find creative outlets to deal with my PTSD symptoms, and I have been pushing hard to get other veterans the opportunity to express themselves and share their stories with a broader audience through their art,” Columbus said. “Right now what I’m doing is working with other veterans who are artists and taking (their work) and helping create an opportunity. Veterans have a stage. That is huge — normally veterans only get to show at a VA hospitals or military bases.”

While “From Here to There” opens Monday, the opening reception will be held Wednesday, and will include speakers from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, poetry readings and a performance by Exit 12, a dance company founded by a U.S. Marine Iraq War veteran and two ballerinas in 2007, now considered a pioneer in the genre of military veteran art.

For Columbus, the performances and exhibit hold another purpose: “It bridges the gap between the military and civilian community — hearing the stories; ‘How did I get here?’ …

I want more veterans to dance and move and write and do something, because 22 veterans are committing suicide a day.”