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Portland , OR — PORTLAND, Ore.–The VA Portland Health Care System is hosting a Veteran-created artwork exhibit at their Portland campus on May 20, 2024. The 18-piece art exhibit entitled

“Boots on the Ground for Art” will be featured in the VA Portland’s Auditorium, located on the second floor between building 100 and 101 starting at 10:30 a.m. on May 20. The event will

showcase recently-completed paintings that were exhibited at the VA Portland’s Medical Library earlier in May. Members of the media are welcome to attend. VA Portland’s Recreation Therapy

Services, in partnership with the Oregon Society of Artists (OSA), offer weekly and monthly art classes, available online, at the VA, and in-person in the community, taught by classically

trained art instructors. These classes are provided free of charge to Veterans. The program is a welcoming, safe community for all those who participate. The VA Portland Whole Health

Department and Recreation Therapy Services utilize art as one form of therapy to address symptoms of PTSD, trauma, and other mental illnesses. Veterans are encouraged to engage in meaningful

recreation and leisure activities to cope, recover, and thrive. The OSA helps veterans improve their quality of life by supporting their involvement in the creative arts process. Veterans

from all branches of the military are welcome to participate. According to OSA staff, it has been their dream to feature talented veteran artists and display art from their veteran’s art

class at a veteran-focused facility. OSA regularly features veteran-created art in their gallery every November, coinciding with Veteran’s Day. Media interested in attending the event on May

20 should contact the POC listed below prior to end of day on Friday, May 17.