The art of survival

Eric Leake

Friday, March 25, 2005 | 3:02 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

March 26 - 27, 2005

Jim Williams was excited to show off his artwork. He spoke of each piece as he pointed from his wheelchair.

The work touched on themes from Williams' 25 years in the Air Force and his interpretation of Las Vegas. They were painted on canvas, rice paper, and tiles.

Though a stroke has left Williams, 76, partially paralyzed and speech impaired, his pride and pleasure in the work was unmistakable as he said of each piece: "It's good."

Williams' art is currently exhibited in "Las Vegas Through the Eyes of Veterans" at the Spring Valley Library through April 26. The show is comprised of art created by veterans at the Arville House psychiatric day treatment center and the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City.

Dr. Mary Ann Bartusis, president of the Nevada Chapter of the American Psychiatric Association Alliance, which is sponsoring the exhibit, said the art is therapeutic for the veterans.

"They begin to be satisfied with what they're doing, that they're creating something," said Bartusis, who is also former medical director of Arville House, where she said the art workshops are popular.

"They begin to socialize with other veterans who are doing what they're doing," Bartusis said.

Many of the members of Arville House suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, she said, which can lead to depression, drug or alcohol abuse, and separation from society.

"These are veterans who may have been staying home with nothing else to do," Bartusis said.

The art workshops and other activities give the veterans confidence through accomplishment. That sometimes is all that lacks, Bartusis said, for a disabled veteran to re-enter the world.

Denzil Straight arrived late to the exhibit's opening to find people talking over his meticulously detailed "Bird House."

He said of the painted bird house, "It was already done. I went ahead and painted it.

"This will probably be my favorite because it's the hardest and the most time consuming."

Straight, 53, spent 20 years in the Army. During the Vietnam War era, he served in Korea. That didn't prevent him from being called a "baby killer" with other veterans upon his return to U.S. soil, he said, "which is wrong."

He said art helps him deal with the mental fallout of his experience. Straight writes poetry, paints and makes jewelry. He showed off a leather belt buckle he embossed with an eagle and his initials.

The primary benefit of making art, he said, is "seeing it all the way through to the finish and liking it the way it is."

Straight was dressed in motorcycle gear and often laughed when talking about himself and his work. He said he was glad the exhibit showcased the art of veterans.

"I think it's cool. It lets people know that we're still human. We might be vets, but we still have feelings," Straight said. He laughed.

Athena Peters is the artist in residence who conducts the workshops. She is still surprised at times by what the veterans produce.

"Sometimes out of something very simple a lot of their past experience will come out," she said. "Another thing that surprises me a lot is that none of them ever painted before. For a first-time thing, they're really very good."

Peters holds weekly workshops at the veterans centers. She said about a dozen veterans typically attend. The workshops are funded through Vision Strength and Access Arts of Nevada and Veterans Affairs.

Peters said veterans often approach the workshops thinking they can't do the art.

"Then when they realize they can and see how their work is progressing, it really lifts their self-esteem and their whole life view, really."

Veterans learn how to appreciate one another's work, to work together, and for those used to regimented living, art can be liberating, Peters said.

"It's anything goes," she said. "To me, art is really that spark of life that gets you in touch with the whole world and yourself."

Among the many types of art practiced in the workshops, painting is the favorite of Dr. Don "Doc" Long. He said it helps him practice muscle control.

Long, 74, is a retired psychiatrist and an Army veteran. He said the workshops help veterans come to terms with their emotions, "because we all are tied pretty close to our emotions, and we can work through our emotions."

He surveyed the exhibition with a critical eye.

"It's surprisingly good when you consider the colors. The shapes aren't up to par, but the colors are really strong," he said.

When asked if he had a favorite, he didn't hesitate in picking the pastel rice paper painting of mainly blossoms that he and fellow veterans had made together.