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Facebook Digg Delicious August 23, 2012 | Leisure

Artwork for the 2011 Soldier Art Show sits on display in the III Corps Headquarters, July 18, 2011. Courtesy photo

On display in III Corps Headquarters July 18, 2011, for the 2011 Soldier Art Show, this drawing entitled “Unspoken,” was one of many pieces of art featured in the show. The 2012 Soldier Art Show is accepting original art from Soldiers, veterans and their spouses until Aug. 31. Courtesy photo

A broad brush stroke. The single strum of a finely-tuned guitar. The elegant scribble of a pen across a page.

Though not usually considered as effective as a physician’s prescription or an hour with a great therapist, these images are becoming more familiar in homes where a Soldier has deployed.

“The stress of deployment accumulates and can build over time. There has to be a release of that pressure at some point,” said Stacy Nelsen, a CRDAMC social worker and a coordinator of the second annual Soldier Art Show. “Creatively expressing your pride, anger, hurt, frustration, fear, guilt, whatever the emotion is, through some form of art, allows for a non-intimidating and visual outlet for Soldiers and anyone dealing with deployment stressors.”

Honoring the artwork Soldiers, veterans and their spouses have created is another way of honoring the individual who sacrificed and served. That is why CRDAMC’s Department of Behavioral Health is sponsoring the Soldier Art Show for the second year, titled “Unspoken: Overcoming the Struggles of Combat Through Art.” The art show will take place at the Oveta Culp Hobby Center on Battalion Avenue and T.J. Mills Boulevard from Sept. 24-28.

“Last year’s turnout was amazing, and moving,” Nelson said, “but we are hoping for even more participants and stories to be told this year.”

Entering art into the show is open to Soldiers and veterans who have deployed, and their spouses. A participant does not have to be receiving behavioral health treatment in order to participate. All submissions will remain anonymous, and although each will be reviewed by a panel for content, this is not a competition.

Opening applications to spouses is one change of the show compared to last year.

“We want to give a stage to the spouses who support their Soldier during deployment, and who struggle with their own levels and types of deployment stress,” said Mildred Ladouceur, Department of Behavioral Health case manager and Soldier Art Show coordinator. “We hope this will bring another dimension to the show.”

Veterans – Soldiers that have served on deployment in the past, but are now out of the military – are also encouraged to submit works of art this year.

“Our only criteria for submission is that the artist is able to briefly describe on the application how their art work has helped them cope with deployment,” Ladouceur added. “This description will accompany the piece on display.”

Applications and art submissions will be accepted until Aug. 31. Both can be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Apache Arts and Crafts Center, located at 761st Tank Battalion Avenue and 62nd Street.

The art show’s opening ceremony will be Sept. 24 at the Oveta Culp Hobby Center. The exact time has yet to be announced.

The art will be displayed at the Oveta Culp Hobby Center from Sept. 24-28, with the public welcome to stop by, view the art and leave comment for the artists. All artwork will be returned to the artist, with the comments that were offered by visitors, and will be available for pickup at the Apaches Arts and Crafts Center after Oct. 16.

For more information regarding the 2012 Soldier Art Show, or to receive and application via email, call 535-1519.