Time 1900-2100
Location: 808 North Fairfax St, Alexandria Virginia
The Combat to Canvas exhibition and reading is the culminating event of a four-day art-making and writing workshop by CBAW, Frontline Arts, and Warrior Writers at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Ft Belvoir. During the workshop, Service Members and Veterans make paper out of used military uniforms and then write and create art on that paper. At the culminating exhibition, the public is invited to view the artwork and listen to a reading/performance by participants. Previous exhibitions have been held at Glen Echo Park, Strathmore Mansion, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, Washington Artworks, and The Ratner Museum. This event is free and open to the public.
Seema Reza is a poet and essayist and the author of two books: A Constellation of Half-Lives and When the World Breaks Open. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Writing and Community Building from Goddard College. In 2010 Seema began working with service members, veterans, and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and has since developed a unique multi-hospital arts program that encourages the use of the arts as a tool for narration, self-care and socialization. In 2015, the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore awarded Seema the Col John Gioia Patriot Award for her work with service members in military hospitals. Seema is a 2019 George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Scholar.