HCSCC, Fargo VA Collaborate on Veterans Art, Writing and Music Project
Moorhead, Minn.,–
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County and Fargo Veterans Affairs are collaborating on a series of public events featuring the art of local veterans in trauma recovery. The two organizations are recruiting veterans who may be interested in one or more of several projects which will culminate in an exhibition titled “Warriors in the North,” which will open at the Hjemkomst Center on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, and an evening of performances held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
The first event is a mask making workshop that will be held on Wednesday, May 26, at the Fargo Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The program was originally developed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for soldiers returning home with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The workshop process was featured in the February 2015 issue of “National Geographic Magazine.” Veterans interested in taking part should call Dr. Margo Norton of the Fargo Veterans Affairs Medical Center at (701) 239-3700, ext. 3150, or email her at margo.norton@va.org.
The second event is a veterans’ writing workshop series led by veteran facilitator Wendell Affield. The workshops will be held this summer, in both virtual and live formats. Veterans interested in participating should contact local drama therapist Amy Tichy by phone at (701) 766-8795 or by email at amy.tichy@gmail.com.
The third event is an ongoing photo documentary series directed by photographer, veteran and former professor Dr. Ken Andersen. Andersen is recruiting veterans who have experienced military trauma and would be willing to sit for a photo shoot and share their experiences. Veterans interested in the photo series should contact Andersen at (701) 371-4735 or k.andersen.studio@gmail.com.
The final event is an ongoing music workshop pairing local veterans with songwriters and musicians in an effort to transform difficult military experiences and trauma into words and music. Veterans interested in this music workshop should contact local veteran musician Dan Hudson at (701) 306-6870 or dthuddy73@gmail.com.
All facilities are wheelchair accessible and ASL interpreters and audio description can be arranged for participants with two weeks’ notice. To request accommodations, please contact HCSCC executive director Maureen Kelly Jonason at maureen.jonason@hcsmuseum.org or (218) 299-5511.
