Place of Peace, February 19, 2021-August 6, 2021

Place of Peace brings to light the veteran experience. 

As veterans transition to civilian life, they are often met with challenges of depression and anxiety and must suddenly cope with the complete upheaval of a life once known with very little transitional support. As stated in The Clinical Psychology Review, "Soldiers and veterans are undeniably resilient, both by selection and by training. But they are not superhuman…The process of transitioning and reintegrating back to civilian life is often stressful and can generate lasting psychological difficulties.”[1]

Many soldiers who transition back to civilian life are entering day-to-day activities with a baseline of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic-stress, and there are varying degrees in which these challenges can present themselves.  Unfortunately, many veterans can go weeks, months, and even years without realizing the need for mental health support. This doesn’t include the thousands of veterans who are aware but choose not to seek help due to the stigma associated with mental health support as it is often associated with weakness, the counterpart to an essential bravery with which soldiers are correlated. “Previous wars have demonstrated that veterans’ needs peak several decades after their war service, highlighting the necessity of managing current problems and planning for future needs.”[2]

It is all too common that the struggle of transition leads to suicide. Prevention is key. 

Finding a Place of Peace - be it a spiritual center, a garden, painting, theatre performance, or spending time with friends and family - is absolutely essential. It is critical in preventing a negative outcome. The arts have proven beneficial time and time again in aiding veterans as they bridge the gap between military life and civilian life. Let this exhibition help you find your place of peace and aid in the broader understanding of how we, as a community, can best help those who have served to protect us. 

All works of art available for sale are noted. 100% of proceeds are retained by the artists.

Creative Commons Exhibitions are a program of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. This exhibition is produced in partnership with the Arts Council of Johnson County.

Place of Peace is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mazuma Foundation.