The Man Art Action Project has enabled returning veterans to work through war related injuries. Through visual art and theatre, veterans share personal stories of war and transition.
Contact! Unload is a theatre piece developed by Faculty of Education professors’ George Belliveau and Marvin Westwood, in conjunction with the Veterans Transition Program (VTP).
Two upcoming Vancouver performances are scheduled on November 4, 2015 (event info) . This theatre piece was first performed in the Spring of 2015 in Vancouver, and generated great acclaim.
An Overall Success
The project has been invited to perform in London, England on November 9th at The Canadian High Commission.
This very special performance at Canada House Trafalgar Square will feature veterans enacting key extracts from the original live performances. This will provide UK audiences a unique opportunity to experience the transformative power of arts in the recovery from war related traumas.
lestweforget!Canada mural by Foster Eastman
In addition to the performance at The Canadian High Commission, two pieces of visual art will be featured that have been developed by Foster Eastman, in conjunction with numerous veterans. The lestweforget!CANADA mural was a community-supported art project working with veterans who served in Afghanistan. The tribute pole teamed veterans with First Nations master carver Xwalactun to explore alternative methods of healing. The mural and tribute pole will be on display from November 4th – 24th.
Man Art Action is one of six projects in the Men’s Depression and Suicide Network which aims to reduce men’s depression and suicide. Funding for the project comes from The Movember Foundation. (Initial funding for the VTP came from the Royal Canadian Legion, BC/Yukon Command.)
HRH Prince Andrew checks out Veterans Tribute Pole and mural with High Commissioner in Canada House pic.twitter.com/z4thbhCByA
— Foster Eastman (@Foster_Eastman) November 5, 2015