The gallery will run from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11. Courtesy photo

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Veteran Art Institute (VAI) has brought veterans from all military branches together into a very special digital space where their works of artistic creativity and imagination can be shared.

Veteran Art Institute, an Eldorado Hills-based non-profit, hosts a physical gallery exhibit, “Veterans Day 2024,” which runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 11 at the Ri-Nu Gallery, 9719 Lincoln Village Drive, Suite 500 in Sacramento.

The exhibit showcases the diverse and powerful works of veteran artists from Northern California, highlighting the unique perspectives and experiences of those who have served in the armed forces, said founder and president, Kathleen Ellertson.

Exhibit hours at the Ri-Nu Gallery are Friday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 9 p.m. with an opening reception at 5 p.m., which included a brief presentation on the mission and impact of the Veteran Art Institute. The weekend hours are Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 from 2 to 6 p.m.

In recognition of Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“VAI has a deep-rooted commitment to fostering a supportive nationwide community for veteran artists,” Ellertson said.

Kathleen Ellertson is the founder and president of Veteran Art Institute. Courtesy photo

Founded with the belief that art can be a “powerful tool for healing and communication,” Veteran Art Institute continues to work to ensure that the voices of all veteran artists are heard and celebrated.

Since starting in 2020, Veteran Art Institute’s webpage at https://veteranartinstitute.org has a roster of participating registered artists that has grown to over 488 with individual gallery webpages, with some 2,345 individual examples of their work being represented and that number is growing, Ellertson said.

Ellertson is an artist and the daughter of a decorated World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran who earned a Bronze Medal recipient during his wartime service who was also an artist.

“My dad suffered from unspoken PTSD which resulting in alcoholism and had lifelong effects on our entire family,” she said. “When he passed away, I decided to do something to honor my dad’s service and help other veterans,” she said.

Ellertson, who earned a BFA in art history and is an artist herself, helped curate many exhibits of veteran artwork, starting at the Pentagon with a year-long, 50-veteran participant art exhibit.

“In 2019, I was inspired to create my own non-profit where veterans could collaborate and show their work in galleries (online and locally),” Ellertson said.

Individual headings on the Veteran Art Institute homepage guide the public user to view artwork by its artists, view past public exhibits or make a donation. Interested veterans then can register to create their own gallery of work in just a few steps.

“At the Veteran Art Institute, our mission is to harness the transformative power of art to support and uplift our nation's veterans,” Ellertson said.

Registrants provide their name, address and social media contact information and describe their area of artistic expression and background. The registration process usually takes between one to two hours, Ellertson said. Information about their branch of military service, current service status, military occupational skill (MOS), years of military service and combat or campaign experience which is also required.

Once registration is complete, tutorial videos guide the veteran-artist how to upload a photo of themselves, a brief biography and images of their artistic work.

“VAI is a supportive community of veteran artists who have found a “home” for their expression and to share their stories,” Ellertson said.

Kelly Hodson, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran who served in Desert Storm, is the founder and CEO of 123 Enterprises, the company behind Retreeve™ Docs, the enterprise document management tool which powers Veteran Art Institute’s online platform.

“While our system was designed for traditional ‘corporate document’ management, we realized digital content is digital content and were able to apply our system to support digital images, which has become the backbone of VAI,” Hodson said.

“Our role is to ensure that the platform runs smoothly so veterans can focus on what matters most - sharing their stories and connecting through art,” he said.

Laura Taylor, an enlisted U.S. Navy veteran and fine artist, serves as co-creator and volunteer for Veteran Art Institute’s online gallery. Whether you are a seasoned artist or just picking up your first pencil or paint brush, Veteran Art Institute’s training and educational portal will have something for you, Taylor explained.

“I’m excited to help my fellow veteran artists get started, and learn all what VAI has to offer them,” she said. 

Laura Taylor, a volunteer for Veteran Art Institute, is an enlisted Navy veteran and a fine artist. Courtesy photo

Her mission is deeply personal, driven by the desire to honor her late father, a Vietnam veteran whose legacy continues to inspire her commitment to service and art.

While the technical means to increase the number of artist participants on the Veteran Art Institute site is there, financial support is needed to help host inspiring in-person exhibits which can also showcase their incredible work, Taylor said. “Every $10 donation allows one new veteran to join our growing community,” she said.

“This November, the VAI Veterans Day exhibit is more than just an art show; it’s a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and spirit of our veteran community,” Ellertson said.

Ellertson said she hopes to have more in-person events as further funding becomes available.

“We’re 100 percent volunteer based,” she said. To make a donation to Veteran Art Institute, visit https://veteranartinstitute.org/donate/.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Veteran Art Institute will showcase veterans’ art from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11. Courtesy photo

The Veterans Day 2024 exhibit runs Nov. 8 through Nov. 11 at the Ri-Nu Gallery, 9719 Lincoln Village Drive, Suite 500 in Sacramento.

Veterans who may be interested in registering to exhibit with Veteran Art Institute can visit www.veteranartinstitute.org or contact Kathleen Ellertson at [email protected].