September 21, 2025

Virginia Beach Fosters Veteran Engagement Through Arts and Creative Events

News Summary

Virginia Beach promotes veteran support and community engagement through arts workshops and contests. Initiatives like woodworking classes and a military children’s art contest foster creativity, camaraderie, and emotional well-being among military families. The programs, partnered with organizations like ASAP, have expanded significantly, encouraging art as therapy and community building. This effort highlights the importance of creative outlets in aiding veterans’ recovery and strengthening community bonds, celebrating resilience and talent among military children.

Virginia Beach has become a vibrant hub for veteran engagement through the arts, as various workshops and initiatives aim to support military families and promote creativity among veterans. Recently, local veteran Ian Gallardo explored a free woodworking workshop offered by O’Connor Woodworking in Sandbridge. Following his retirement from a long Navy career, which included multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa, Gallardo sought a new hobby. Through the workshop, he learned wood turning basics and created a honey dipper, appreciating the exceptional learning experience provided by workshop owner Jeff O’Connor.

The woodworking workshop is part of a collaborative effort between O’Connor Woodworking and the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), a nonprofit established in 2015 in Williamsburg. ASAP’s mission revolves around creating a supportive, creative community for military veterans and their families through various arts forms. The organization offers free classes in visual arts, comedy, creative writing, and other disciplines, catering to veterans, their spouses, and children over the age of 18.

Brian Jenkins, the CEO of ASAP, highlighted the importance of these classes in addressing issues such as post-traumatic stress and social isolation that many veterans face. O’Connor, who also has a military background as a retired Navy explosive ordnance disposal master chief, began offering woodworking classes in response to requests from local veterans and thus partnered with ASAP to facilitate these workshops. His wife, Kim, runs The Striped Tomato, where she provides free sewing classes as an additional creative outlet for veterans.

O’Connor regards involvement in the arts as a therapeutic distraction, particularly for veterans dealing with both visible and invisible wounds. Gallardo expressed his gratitude for ASAP, remarking on the positive impact it has on participants by allowing them to explore new interests without a significant financial burden while fostering camaraderie among military families.

ASAP has made significant strides in community outreach, boasting a nationwide alumni network of 6,000 individuals hailing from all 50 states. Veterans interested in local classes and registration details can visit the ASAP website for more information. Jenkins emphasized that the organization’s focus extends beyond just offering free classes; it aims to cultivate a nurturing community for veterans.

Additionally, military children’s creativity is being celebrated through “The Art of Being a Military Child” contest in Virginia Beach. Local leaders have acknowledged the talented young artists during an awards ceremony held at Lynnhaven Mall. In 2025, the contest garnered nearly 600 art entries, significantly increasing from the inaugural 2012 event that featured almost 200 submissions. Awards were granted to four winners across various age categories, presented by community leaders and representatives from Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

The art exhibit showcasing the winners and other entries from the contest is currently displayed in Lynnhaven Mall’s center court and will remain on view until April 23. The event, hosted by News 3’s Angela Bohon, represents a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the unique stories of military children in the community.

In summary, Virginia Beach continues to empower its veteran population and military families through creative workshops and contests, fostering a sense of community and helping individuals cope with the challenges they face. The programs offered not only provide artistic skills but also cultivate meaningful connections among participants.

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Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER

VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg

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