What to Expect for In-Person Veterans and the Arts Initiative Workshops/Classes:*
Beginning May 2, 2022, audience members will not be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result for most events except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the webpage with event details. Read full policy.
The Veterans and the Arts Initiative offers free, hands-on workshops, art exhibitions featuring Veterans’ artwork, and concerts for our local Veterans, Servicemembers, and military family members (including military partners and kids). Explore our offerings in music, visual arts, and more to learn new skills and connect with community members!
“This is my second year coming to Glen’s [McCarthy] classes. As a Marine combat Veteran with issues related to my service, these guitar classes give me a purpose and a mission. I have played off and on for years but a group learning experience in this setting gives me a new perspective and I am learning many new things. Glen teaches to the generation of students he has in his class. Music is generational. I don’t think I am alone in thinking his choice of music fits. I hope it can continue.”
Past Highlights
2023
- Veterans Virtual Guitar Workshops with Glen McCarthy, guitar and ukulele instructor for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative (Spring 2023)
- Virtual Songwriting Series for Military Kids with Thom Routon, Casey Yates, and Emily Fasick (Spring 2023)
- Graphic Arts – Exploration of Hands-On Arts Practices with Patrick Sargent (USAF Veteran, artist, and adjunct faculty at George Mason University School of Art) (Spring 2023)
- Ukulele Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy, guitar and ukulele instructor for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative (Spring 2023)
- Observing the World Through A Lens: Photography Workshop Series for Women Veterans with Laura Hatcher, Navy Veteran and professional photographer (Spring 2023)
- Basic Landscape Photography Using a Smartphone at Chinn Park Library in Woodbridge, VA with Thuy Senser (Adjunct professor with George Mason University School of Art) (Spring 2023)
- CAMMO Voices Concert (Spring 2023)
2022
- Hybrid Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2022)
- Picturing You! Collage and Self-Portraiture with Matthew Conboy (Veteran; School of Art, George Mason University) (Spring 2022)
- Exploring Self & Social Identity with Women Veterans: a Hybrid Mixed Media Workshop with Andi Benge (School of Art, George Mason University) (Spring 2022)
- Collaborative Quilt Workshop with Emily Fasick (Spring 2022)
- Veterans Virtual Guitar Workshops with Glen McCarthy, guitar instructor for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative (Fall 2022)
- Basic Landscape Photography Using a Smartphone with Thuy Senser, adjunct professor in the George Mason University School of Art and Design (Fall 2022)
- Sneaker Sculpture Workshops! with Andy Yoder, adjunct professor at George Mason University (Fall 2022
- Basic Portrait Photography Using a Smartphone at Potomac Library in Woodbridge, VA with Thuy Senser (Adjunct professor in the George Mason University School of Art) (Fall 2022)
- Basic Close-up and Macro Photography Using a Smartphone at Central Library in Manassas, VA with Thuy Senser (Adjunct professor in the George Mason University School of Art) (Fall 2022)
- Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra Salute to the Military (Fall 2022)
2021
- Smart Phone Photography Virtual Workshop Series with Martin J. Cervantez (U.S. Army, Ret.) (Spring 2021)
- Virtual Dominion Energy Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2021)
- Exploring Self & Social Identity with Women Veterans: a Virtual Mixed Media Workshop Series with Andi Benge (School of Art, George Mason University) (Spring 2021)
- Virtual Ukulele Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2021)
- Hybrid Veterans Ukulele Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Fall 2021)
- Bonus Ukulele Workshop with Adiza Jibril, professional singer with The United States Army Band (Fall 2021)
- Songwriting Series for Military Kids with Thom Routon, Sonja Phillips-Thomas, and Phoenix Henkle (Fall 2021)
- Hylton on the Hill: The U.S. Army Band Downrange (Fall 2021)
- Hylton at Home: Community Conversation with The War & Treaty – Michael Trotter and Tanya Trotter (Fall 2021)
- Celebrating Veterans and the Arts: The War and Treaty (Fall 2021)
2020
- On-site and Virtual Dominion Energy Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2020)
- Drawing from Photographs with Martin J. Cervantez (U.S. Army, Ret.) (Spring 2020)
- Exploring Self & Social Identity with Women Veterans: a Mixed Media Workshop with Andi Benge (School of Art, George Mason University) (Spring 2020)
- Virtual Ukulele and Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2020)
- Virtual Ukulele Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Spring 2020)
- Virtual Dominion Energy Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (Fall 2020)
- Virtual Songwriting Series for Military Kids with Thom Routon, Talha Mirza, and Sonja Phillips-Thomas (Fall 2020)
- Celebrating Veterans and the Arts: A Virtual Concert Featuring Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Darden Purcell, & Voices of Service (Fall 2020)
2019
- Dominion Energy Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (George Mason University)
- Fundamentals of Drawing Workshop Series with Martin J. Cervantez (U.S. Army, Ret.)
- Papermaking Workshop with Patrick Sargent (U.S. Air Force, Ret.)
- Exploring Identity with Women Veterans: iPhone Photography Workshop with Danielle Dravenstadt (Photography Instructor, School of Art, George Mason University)
- Ukulele Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (George Mason University)
- Songwriting Workshop for Military Kids in collaboration with Mason Community Arts Academy
- Veterans Day 2019 Week events including
- Celebrating Veterans and the Arts at the Hylton Center, featuring interactive music and visual arts workshops and a songwriting presentation by military kids and teenagers
- The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own
- Heroes’ Voices National Poetry Contest Reading
2018
- Dominion Energy Veterans Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (George Mason University)
- Poetry Workshops in collaboration with Armed Services Arts Partnership and Frederick Foote, M.D. (Captain, Medical Corps, USN, Ret.) to assist in submissions for the Heroes’ Voices National Poetry Contest
- Meditative Dots visual arts workshop with Martin J. Cervantez (U.S. Army, Ret.) (Spring 2018)
- Echoes of the Great War forum featuring a lecture by Cheryl Regan (Exhibition Director of Echoes of the Great War exhibition at the Library of Congress), remarks by the Director of the Virginia War Memorial, the Profiles of Honor Tour and the Veterans History Project, as well as music and live poetry
- The Soldier’s Journey: a presentation of prize-winning poetry and music from the Heroes’ Voices National Veterans Poetry Contest in cooperation with George Mason University
- Veterans Community Art Workshop with Martin J. Cervantez (U.S. Army, Ret.)
- Songwriting Series for Military Children in collaboration with the Center for American Military Music Opportunities and the Hylton Center Veterans and the Arts Initiative
- Veterans Day 2018 at the Hylton Center: Celebrating Veterans and the Arts, featuring community-based resources, interactive music and visual arts workshops, an exhibition of Veteran artwork, and musical performances by William Michael Morgan and Voices of Service from the Center for American Military Music Opportunities
2017
- 10-week Guitar Workshop Series with Glen McCarthy (George Mason University)
- The “Pentagon Quilts” presentation by June Forte, former Curator of the “Pentagon Quilts”
- Sing-along with the Manassas Chorale
- Heroes’ Voices National Poetry Contest reading: The Soldier’s Journey
- Veterans Day 2017 at the Hylton Center: Celebrating Veterans and the Arts, featuring music and visual art by Veterans and Veterans Day Concert by American Festival Pops All-Stars
2016
Veterans Day Week 2016 events including:
- The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Salute to Veterans Concert
- The Arts and the Military: Moving Through Memories of Service and Conflict Art Exhibition
- Exit12 Dance Company performance for over 350 local schoolchildren
- Veterans Day 2016 at the Hylton Center: Celebrating Veterans and the Arts, featuring music, visual art, dance, and poetry by Veterans
2015
Veterans Day at the Hylton Center: Celebrating Veterans and the Arts featuring music-making sessions, musical performances, and visual artwork
2014
Music in the Military Panel and Veterans Day Concert featuring the U.S. Army Band: “Pershing’s Own”