The talented veterans of Bastion’s Headway program will once again have their incredible artwork hung on the walls of the Phelps Dunbar law firm’s main office this summer, an experience that has now become an annual tradition thanks to our generous friends at Phelps. Headway’s art therapist, Raney-Mills Turner, has led our veterans on this artistic journey and helped them bring their creative visions to life.
“The guys have been preparing for the Phelps Dunbar art show since February, and the therapeutic benefit is multi-layered,” Turner said. “The therapy is in the initial spark of an idea, in the creative process of bringing the idea to life, in the verbal support from each other when a challenge presents itself, and in the authentic choices they make each time they show up for group. Lastly, the therapy is in seeing their masterfully completed works of art showcased on a wall next to their peers. That feeling is pure, rare and whole.”
Our Headway artists utilized watercolor paint, acrylic paint, watercolor pencils, markers, and other materials to create their final works. Turner’s art therapy sessions serve as a safe, empowering space for Bastion’s veterans to explore their feelings and experiences through art, experimenting with different mediums and learning more about themselves and each other in the process. Everyone who participates is an artist in their own right – whether they have been creating art on their own for years or discovered their creative passions in the safety and support of this group.
Headway participant Nestor Mairena, a New Orleans-based artist and Marine Corps veteran, is a lifelong illustrator whose work is deeply rooted in the beauty of nature and the intricate details of the animal kingdom. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury in the early 2000s, Nestor stopped making art entirely until 2018 when he joined Bastion’s Headway program. Through Headway’s art therapy program Nestor has rediscovered his passion and skill for art, and has since produced over 150 different works, sold multiple illustrations, and won awards for his work. Mairena’s rich landscapes and colorful subjects are a reflection of his deep reverence for both nature and the art world. For Mairena, art is a way of life and a way to connect with others. You can often find him sketching in Bastion’s Purple Heart Room or cracking jokes with his Headway comrades.
Newcomer Ignacio Gutierrez, an Army Combat Engineer veteran, joined the Headway brain injury program just this year. His art takes a more whimsical approach, filled with cartoon-like characters and symbols that invite the viewer to explore their own imagination. His work serves as a reminder to embrace creativity and to never shy away from challenging or controversial conversations. Despite being new to the Headway squad, Gutierrez has blossomed creatively and socially in this space thanks to the inclusive environment Turner has cultivated.
“Holding art therapy groups with Bastion’s Veterans these past six years is a true gift,” Turner said. “Bearing witness to their creativity and commitment to their personal growth is almost indescribable.”