Organized by artist and retired (Sergeant) Ron Kelsey, Reflections of Generosity is a collection of art made by soldiers and their family members that allowed them to express their feelings in a safe and meaningful way while dealing with post-traumatic stress and other issues. Leading up to the exhibition, Kelsey will be conducting free art and writing workshops for soldiers and their families to facilitate and promote emotional healing and spiritual well-being, while helping them develop new ways of creating life out of war. No previous art or writing experience is necessary.

Space One Eleven will have fine art drawing materials available for participants. However, if participants prefer other mediums for their creativity, they are encouraged to bring their own materials–if participants prefer to write, simply bring pen and paper; if participants prefer to paint, bring painting supplies. Workshops will take place in Space One Eleven’s artist studio, located in downtown Birmingham at 2409 Second Avenue North.

A workshop reserved for writing only will be held on Tuesday, September 8 at 2 pm. Art and/or writing workshops will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 am and 2 pm. All workshops will last between 1.5 and 2 hours and are offered at no cost to veterans and their family members. Participants will have the option of adding their work to the Reflections of Generosity exhibition.

Seating is limited and must be reserved in advance. To reserve a seat in a workshop contact Cheryl Lewis at cheryllewis@spaceoneeleven.org, or (205) 328-0553. Reflections of Generosity was originally founded by Ron Kelsey during his 2009 deployment to Iraq, shortly after he began writing the book by the same name. For more information about Kelsey, go to: http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_26487669/fort-bliss-soldier-looks-back-9-11-uses

On September 11, 2015, at 11:45 am at Samford University, Ron Kelsey will serve on a panel that will discuss the history of art as therapy and the resurgence of art therapy programs since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Kelsey will discuss his involvement with troop members who have participated in art therapy as a means of emotional healing. Others serving on the panel are Mary Ann Culotta, Ph.D., art educator, retired counselor, and former Director of Arts Education for Jefferson County Schools; and Katie Kauffman, Instructor (Art History) at Samford University. The panel will be moderated by Larry Thompson, Associate Dean and Professor (Visual Art) at Samford University.