May 14-17, 2015 are the dates of the second “Military Experience & the Arts Symposium” at Cameron University. A coordinated effort between MEA, Cameron’s chapter of Student Veterans of America and local/national veterans service organizations, including the VFW, DAV, and Military Order of the Purple Heart, our goal is to provide 200 veterans and veteran spouses with four days of workshops focused on the skills needed to express themselves creatively and nightly events, speakers, and performances that will raise awareness about veterans’ issues with the surrounding community. If you need to register or want to learn more about the event click here.
A veteran of the first MEA Symposium in KY, Red Bull Rising‘s Charlie Sherpa lays out just some of the things participants can expect: “For a non-refundable $20 fee,” explains Sherpa, “military veterans and spouses can register via Submittable for the May event. At minimum, the event will provide:
- Daily workshops and classes in the creative, healing arts.
- Breakfast bar and at least one hot meal per day.
- Mightly events. performances, and speakers.
- Accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
- Booths and tables from veteran service organizations.
- Free writing and art supplies.”
Read the rest of Sherpa’s report, which features links to coverage about past MEA offerings, here.
The Lawton Constitution reports, ” The symposium will help veterans relate their experience through creative expression, especially writing and visual arts. The symposium will include art therapy programs; painting; music; creative writing classes; performance art; cinematic art; informative lectures and workshops tailored to veteran-issues and concerns; post-traumatic stress support; social support; and lodging/meals for veteran-attendees who are disabled or geographically or financially constrained.” Read the full article here.
Event Director Jason Poudrier tells The Oklahoman, “Veterans, such as myself, learn how to better express our personal narratives through the study of the work of other veteran-writers. Most importantly, we learn the ways of the craft through guided practice and instruction. The result is writing worth reading,” Read that full article here.
Wopular covered the generous $5,000 donation of Oklahoma City University’s Red Earth Creative Writing MFA program: “Jeanetta Calhoun Mish, director of the OCU Red Earth program, said the creative writing department has supported veterans and their writing since 2012 and many graduates are military veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘It’s essential that veterans’ stories are heard.” Red Earth’s donation will go a long way in educating our veterans teaching them skills that will last a lifetime. Read the full article here.
NewsOK reports, “The symposium will include art therapy programs, art classes, performance art, cinematic art, post-traumatic stress support, and lectures and workshops tailored to veterans’ issues and concerns.” Read the NewsOK report here.
Want to report on the MEA Symposium to your community? MEA’s Public Relations Director, Robin Brooks, would love to hear from you! 
Robin Brooks, MEA2 Public Relations Email: robinbrooksinfluentialpublicaffairs@nym.hush.com POC: Information about Media Coverage, Interview Requests, Cross-Promotion, and related print, radio, or web communications. Robin Brooks is a former public affairs officer and veteran of the United States Navy, having retired from the Navy Reserve program in 2013. For the past several years, Robin has operated a boutique public relations consulting firm, Robin Brooks Influential, Inc., where she invests time advocating for, supporting and promoting social causes that are near-and-dear to her heart! Robin has a professional background in public relations, including magazine editorial and non-profit community relations campaign management; as well as healthcare/pharmaceutical sales and consulting experience. As a way to honor fellow veterans, particularly veteran-artists, and because of a long personal history of participation and dedication to the arts, including dance, music, creative writing and painting, beginning as a young child; Robin joyfully lends her expertise to Military Experience & the Arts, serving as our Oklahoma MEA 2 Symposium public affairs director/consultant.