Florida’s first art center dedicated to and in support of veterans, first responders, and their families has opened in St. Petersburg.
- Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay now open
- More than 300 pieces of art created by veterans, first responders featured
- The art center is located at Gaslight Square in St. Petersburg
Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay held its grand opening Saturday.
More than 300 pieces of art created by dozens of veterans and first responders are showcased throughout the center located at Gaslight Square.
The pieces are powerful and the stories behind them are strong.
"I got into a really bad spot about three years ago in my life. I was suffering from severe depression, alcoholism and I tried committing suicide," Navy veteran and artist Larry Busby said.
Busby said the arts saved his life. Veterans at the center have different struggles, but said they’ve found a mutual sense of support at the center.
"I was in the Persian Gulf War was stationed at the Pentagon during 9/11 then went to Iraq twice after 9/11," Army veteran and artist John Mckitrick said.
The veterans said art has helped them express emotions without using words.
"At first my paintings were pretty surreal, little bit morbid, dark but the more I got a lot of stuff out, the more they became brighter," Mckitrick said.
Brighter paintings and a brighter outlook on life, the veterans said art has given them purpose.
"It's been an amazing journey. It helps me focus, it helps me get out there and just lose myself. For me, it's therapy, pure meditation," Busby said.
The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay is a non-profit organization.
For more information, visit www.vactb.org.