On Sunday May 18th, 2014 mim.fm presented Vet Visions and Voices: An Art and Music Benefit, at Tortuga Gallery in Albuquerque. Some of New Mexico's top bands were on hand, including Cali Shaw, Throw the Temple, Sunlight, and Le Chat Lunatique.
The walls of the gallery were lined with some of the finest local art by and about Vets, in a variety of media and styles, including Paula Manning-Lews, Richard Martin, Maggie Micole, Denise Weaver Ross, Scott Palmer, Victoria Bryers and Peter Rogers.
The intent of this show was to give voice to the Veteran community and to facilitate connection and healing through personal expression and the sharing of information about local resources. There were powerful testimonies from Vets, including Indigenous American healer and Veteran Oatzi'nu" She'e'lake'e' who generously offered his healing services free of charge to any Vet present at the event.
We also launched a Facebook page intended as an ongoing resource for vets to upload art and music, and to connect with and support each other. The page can be found at facebook.com/vetvisions.nm.
Proceeds benefited the participating artists and Henderson House, a shelter for Women Vets and their children.
