ShenArts is proud to present this juried virtual exhibition showcasing work from regional Veteran artists as a way to celebrate and honor their service. The exhibition includes former members of all branches of the United States military, working across many mediums, and features artwork ranging from therapeutic to professional. Join us in celebrating these artists and honoring their sacrifices as we approach Veterans Day.
The Pentagon Memorial – in Washington, District of Columbia – honors the memory of 184 men and women who perished in the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon. © Wayne V. Hall. All rights reserved. 
Family Procyonidae-Raccoon Juveniles (Procyon lotor); 3 juveniles in hollow tree; autumn foliage Flathead National Forest; Kalispell, Montana 
Meet the Veterans
Kasse Andrews-Weller did a 180 to pursue a military career after completion of a bachelors/masters degrees in fine arts. Art was put on the back burner. In the serenity of her studio, she combines who she is, daughter of a sawmiller and a seamstress. She makes art quilts.
Tim Blankenship is retired from the West Va. Air National Guard. He enjoys taking photographs, but he mostly creates paintings. He started painting in 2010 and primarily likes to work with oil paint and loves creating landscapes.
Timothy Crisman is an artist who enjoys all medium and genre. He particularly enjoys including people in his art. When painting portraits he uses oil or acrylic. He doesn’t set limitations on his work. One day he hopes to paint full time.
Michael Green is a lover of all art mediums and a long term resident of his living center. He is one of the most active veterans on the unit and looks forward to the annual Veterans Creative arts festival and winning ribbons.
Wayne Hall is an experienced professional photographer with an extensive background as a photojournalist for nearly 35 years, including his service in the U.S. Army. He sees photography as art and loves the world through his lenses.
David Horan’s self-introduction to art was intended to just be a recovery activity. A loving wife, son, a second open heart surgery, and several art awards later, and art is a way to embrace every part of Life, Recovery, and Art Advocacy.
Charles McCaffrey’s work is greatly influenced by his time in the military. He had the good fortune to see the world; and his art reflects images and impressions of the places he visited, the people he met, and the many experiences he had during his travels.
Tony Miller served in the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist & corpsman from 1971-75. His last assignment was at the Great Lakes Medical Center. Tony is a professor in Physician Assistant Studies at Shenandoah University and an amateur photographer.
Bethany Ryan is a six year Army veteran that resides in Leesburg, VA with her two children, husband, and dog Freckles. In 2017, she began exploring art as a way to express and heal the PTSD symptoms she had battled unsuccessfully for years.
Lisa Shaffer was enlisted in the Navy from 1974 to 1979 and is currently retired from her career as a Medical Technologist. She is now trying to get back into her art, with her favorite mediums being pencil portraits, water colors, and scratchboard.
George VanDyke says that no two pieces, even within a tree, will be the same and he strives to enhance the natural characteristics of the raw material into a complementary sculpture. He has recently begun to combine his woodturning pieces with hand built and thrown ceramics.
Michael Chapman is a US Navy veteran who has always loved the arts and studied art history while attending college. He enjoys oil painting and drawing with pencil. Michael is a big fan of comic books and pop culture. For the last several years, he has been creating pieces in the unusual medium of Perler beads.
Andrew Clem is a Marine, who retired from active duty in 2006. He has both studied art and drawn cartoon characters. Those practices have led to redrawing Comicbook covers onto canvases and using acrylic ink to color them.
Maria Frescas wants to create beauty in items that others no longer value. Art provides her with a way to connect with people on multiple levels. She hopes that those viewing her art are able to assign to it their own personal meaning. The purpose of her art is connection.
AnnMarie Halterman had the honor of serving in the Air Force and deployed around the world both prior to and after 9/11. Her involvement with art stems from a desire to create meaningful artwork that inspires, empowers, and unites people.
Ronald Light makes custom, hand-made furniture and cabinetry using wood he mills and dries from the Northern Shenandoah Valley. He also repairs, restores, and refinishes furniture.
Kelly McPhee retired from the Army and did not expect how much his world would change. He had to find the next life, but it wasn’t there. Art saved him and gave him purpose and vision. He found community and healing and is inspired by the human spirit.
Kenneth Peyko served in the USAF from 1969-1971 and was trained as an Air Force medic. He spent his entire career at Malcolm Grow Hospital working in their emergency as a technician. Kenneth has been a photographer for many years and particularly enjoys macro photography.
Ron Salmon’s true love is nature photography, but he also enjoys photographing the beauty & history of the Shenandoah Valley and the Appalachians, small “Hobby Farms”, Historical Reenactments, Outdoor Recreation, and unique “Americana” images.
Otis Stanley‘s belief that “Art is simply living” is reflected in all of his work. A look at his diverse portfolio of images is evidence of his strong sense of his culture and heritage. He invites you to view his work and have conversations about each image.
Heather Williams is a nine year Navy Veteran. She loves bold, bright colors. Her favorite things to work on are large scale canvases or recycling items to create something new.
ShenArts would like to acknowledge Navy Federal Credit Union for once again sponsoring this important exhibition and for their continued support of local Veteran artists.
Jerry Hickman & ShenArts Staff & Board
The Shenandoah Arts Council, ShenArts, is a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts and expanding arts awareness in the Northern Shenandoah Valley region.