Oakland Vet Center, Alameda County Veterans Honored

OAKLAND, CA — Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle presented a commendation to honor local veterans and the Oakland Vet Center for their participation in the Veterans Art Program on Wednesday, July 25. For the last three years, this program has brought creative expression workshops to the Oakland Vet Center to support the crucial services provided to our Alameda County veterans and their families.

"I am pleased to present this commendation to the Oakland Vet Center to celebrate the artistic accomplishments of local Veterans participating in the Veterans Art Project and to honor the Oakland Vet Center’s commitment to providing innovative care for our Veterans," said Supervisor Valle. "This partnership project demonstrates that creativity and art are a vital part of every successful, healthy, and thriving community."

The Veterans Art Project is coordinated by the Alameda County Arts Commission in partnership with the Oakland Vet Center. The goal of the Veterans Art Project is to provide Veterans with opportunities to express themselves in a supportive environment, explore visual art making techniques, and engage in community building. This innovative program is part of a statewide initiative for Veterans and active military funded by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Artworks created through this program are currently on view as part of the Arts Commission’s Art In Public Spaces program in the Board of Supervisors Lobby Gallery on the 5th Floor of the Alameda County Administration Building at 1221 Oak St., Oakland. The public is encouraged to visit the exhibition that will be on view through Thursday, August 3. This exhibition is free and open to the public during open hours. For more information about the exhibition, please call (510) 891-5716 or (510) 272-6984.

This exhibition features three projects conducted at the Oakland Vet Center in Oakland and at the Cal Veteran Services Center on the UC Berkeley campus. Participants include 11 Veterans who served during the Vietnam War and 24 Veterans who served during the Global War on Terrorism. Art projects on display include watercolor, photography, collage and writing.

— Announcement, photo from Alameda County Arts Commission; Photo: Alameda County Supervisor Valle presenting commendation to Oakland Vet Center Director Dr. David Joseph with local Veterans, Oakland Vet Center Staff, Alameda County Leadership, and Alameda County Arts Commissioners and Staff. Pictured (from left) are Rachel Osajima, County Arts Commission Director; Violet Juno, Arts Commission Coordinator; Mellisa Wilk, County Chief Deputy Auditor Controller; Willie Hopkins, County General Services Director; Sarah Oddie, County Supervisor Chan’s Staff; Jim Palmer, Veteran; Carlos Garcia, Veteran; Cris Gomez, Cal Vets Academic Counselor; Luis Hernandez, Cal Vets Academic Counselor; Raul Valle, Veteran and father of Supervisor Valle; Paul Wilson, Jr., Veteran; Richard Valle, County Supervisor; Jack Morton, Veteran; Dr. David Joseph, Oakland Vet Center Director; Matt Lutz, Oakland Vet Center Counselor; Fanny Garcia, Oakland Vet Center Assistant Manager; Richard Garber, Oakland Vet Center Counselor; Noel Perry, 100 Families Program Founder; Local Veteran; Miguel Ochoa, Veteran; Stan Roth, Veteran; Jose Nino, Veteran; Andrew Johnstone, Arts Commissioner; Eric Murphy, Arts Commissioner; Sean Stephens, Marin County Veterans Service Officer. Photograph by Paul Kuroda.