Our Veterans and the Arts Initiative always has exciting opportunities for the military-connected community to engage with the visual and performing arts. This May, we’re collaborating with Prince William Public Libraries to offer workshops in the community. Come out to Bull Run Library (5/2) or Chinn Park Library (5/5) and pick up hands-on techniques for creating stunning, one-of-a-kind prints at a newly curated Gel Plate Printing Workshop. This workshop is taught by Valerie Acosta-Gonzalez, retired Air Force Veteran and artist.
Be sure to also help us close out the Hylton Center’s 2024–25 season with the American Festival Pops Orchestra’s (AFPO) stirring Armed Forces Day Celebration (5/17). “With the AFPO’s spring concert this season falling on Armed Forces Day, I was excited for the opportunity to salute all our U.S. service personnel, both Active Duty and Veterans,” said Maestro Peter Wilson. “We have a wonderful program in store that will take the audience on a journey through music associated with defending our Nation at war. When our troops have fought battles, music has had the power to motivate, to heal, and to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. The AFPO is proud to honor those brave men and women who have sacrificed everything for our freedom.”
Niyati Dhokai, George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative program director added: “This Armed Forces Day, the Veterans and the Arts Initiative is proud to collaborate with the American Festival Pops Orchestra to celebrate our military-connected community through music. Since our earliest community conversations, our Veterans, Servicemembers, military family members, and military caregivers have shared stories of the music that has highlighted their memories of military service; and music workshops and concerts have remained a cornerstone of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative for 10 years." George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative is a proud sponsor of this performance, providing free tickets for Veterans and Servicemembers.
Maestro Peter Wilson and the orchestra also welcome back guest vocalist Darden Purcell, and AFPO Founder and Conductor Emeritus Anthony J. Maiello who will guest conduct Schindler’s List, featuring Wilson on violin. Join the AFPO on Saturday, May 17 for a poignant and prolific evening of music and stories.
Did you know that Veterans and the Arts Initiative workshops and concerts are FREE to Veterans, Servicemembers, military family members, and military caregivers? Learn more about the Veterans and the Arts Initiative and join in the fun!