Every Wednesday, 5-9 p.m.
Creative Forces Open Studio
What We Do
The Jacksonville-Onslow Council for the Arts hosts free, weekly art studio time for service members, veterans, and their loved ones. No prior art experience, equipment or commitment required. Come anytime on Wednesdays from 5-9 p.m. and create in a relaxed, social and creative environment. Each session is led by a local artist/mentor who has experience working with service members and their loved ones. Bring your own artwork or create with our supplies and learn new skills/techniques or collaborate on group projects.
Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the state and local arts agencies. This initiative serves the special needs of military patients and veterans with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions, as well as their families and caregivers. Administrative support for the initiative is provided by Americans for the Arts.
FAQs
Do I have to stay for the entire open studio session?
What military connection is needed for me to attend?
Does my service member connection have to attend with me?
Do I have to be in any pictures?
Can I bring snacks?
I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. Can I still attend?
Do you offer workshops?
Join the Story
Yes, YOU have a part in our story! Every military service member and their loved ones understand the importance of strong, reliable support and that’s where you come in. When you become an advocate for Creative Forces Open Studio, you’re visibly supporting both our local military community and the arts.
Become a part of the story because:
- You will help keep a vital and accessible program available to our local service members, veterans, and their loved ones
- We will have a happier, healthier community from children to adults
- You will have a hand in helping a community of children learn better in school because they have access to a creative outlet and avenue of support
- You will encourage military families to settle here because they feel supported, thereby ensuring our local economy thrives
- You will have a part in potentially lowering the instances within our military community of:
- self-harm
-
- suicide
- domestic conflict
- opioid use
- and more…
We ALL win when you support the Creative Forces Open Studio.
Here are three simple ways to show your support:
> Share about our program
> Make a donation
> Purchase supplies from our Amazon Wishlist
In the Studio
A glimpse into the Open Studio
Who We Are
Noah White
Creative Forces Liaison & Council for the Arts Executive Director
Noah has had a lifelong love of the Arts in all forms and has always longed for a career to utilize his combined skills in art, accounting, and community service. He believes It will take teamwork to achieve success because the Council belongs to the community! Noah has an open door policy and looks forward to input from the artists, our members, our Board of Directors, and the community at large to determine the best course of action to reach a successful outcome of building community through cultural arts.
For any who may be interested in connecting with Creative Forces please reach out via email at jaxarts@jaxarts.com.
Anna K. Pasquale
Creative Forces Resident Artist
Anna K. Pasquale is a self-taught mixed-media artist and writer with a decade of experience in creating art and facilitating classes both in person and online. Her artwork ranges from figurative to abstract in mediums that can include acrylic paint, paper clay and, more recently, embroidery and pyrography. Nothing makes her happier as an artist than finding an intriguing combination of media and/or techniques to tell stories unless it’s helping other artists do the same in their own creations. As the Resident Artist for the Creative Forces Open Studio sessions hosted by the Jacksonville-Onslow Council for the Arts, she is able, and fortunate, to do this on a weekly basis.
Workshop Proposals
Artists can submit a workshop proposal by filling out our form:
Saturday, January 18th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Jacksonville-Onslow Council For The Arts.
This is for area artists and volunteers who are interested in working with our Creative Forces Open Studio program.
In this session we will share:
What we do in our Open Studio
Required training process
Workshop proposal and approval process
Guidance in working with our unique population
And more!
This session is free to attend, though donations are always most appreciated.
Follow
Stay connected and share in our story!
Address
826 New Bridge St. Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 455-9840
Open Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10am – 5pm
Weekends & Holidays: Closed