Veteran-Civilian Arts Ensemble Hosts Showcase May 14

Tampa FL

10 May, 2022

3:51 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — The Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble Showcase is a coming together of veteran and civilian arts communities. This collaboration empowers veterans to participate in an artistic experience that can support and enrich their wellbeing, aiding reintegration back into civilian life. It is designed to create an opportunity for our civilian members to gain a deeper understanding of the veteran experience and engage with former active military. "What Now" is a performance piece conceived by ensemble members. It is a tapestry of poetry, movement, music, monologues, visual arts and textiles to express past, present and artful wonderings about now. Directed by John Parks and Fred Johnson, this piece evolved from conversations and improvised experiences essential to the joining of the veteran and civilian collaborators in an effort to manifest healing, deeper understanding and joy. This performance is free and will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Friday, May 14, in TECO Theater at the Straz. The Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble Showcase is presented as part of the Straz Center's Straz Salutes and VetArtSpan programs, which are supported in part by the Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Americans for the Arts and the Florida Division of Arts and Culture. Sponsors include the DeBartolo Family Foundation, Real-Time Labor Guide, National Endowment for the Arts: Creative Forces, the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. For more information about the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, visit www.strazcenter.org.