 Welcome to LAAVAA, Los Angeles Area Veterans' Artists Alliance, a diverse and dynamic group of veterans and artists dedicated to three primary objectives: - Providing opportunities for veterans, both women and men, in the arts, no matter what their background or goals as artists.
- Honoring the service of veterans from all branches of service, eras and conflicts.
- Finding common ground for the veterans' and artists communities so we can better our lives and enrich the world around us.
As we progress with our fourth year, we are continuing with our most successful programs and look forward to adding more.
Next, we are proud to announce that our photography exhibit, DEBRIEFING, originally put together by photographers Lynn Pedigo, Michael Burr, James K. Johnson and Peggy Fontenot and produced by LAAVAA in 2006 will open at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago in May of 2008.
On August 2d at 8pm, April Fitzsimmons, a former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Analyst and LAAVAA Theater Program member, will present her one person show, The Need To Know at the Kirk Douglas Theater. April, who takes us on a journey through her life and experiences in her show, was recently described in a Los Angeles Times review as a "wry performer" with a "sharp eye for detail and character." The review continues and sums April up as "an irrepressible presence," saying that it is "refreshing to go behind the uniform with a direct source." Our feelings exactly.
It is important to note that April's one performance in Culver City was made possible by a generous grant from the Cultural Affairs Department of Culver City in cooperation with the Kirk Douglas Theater.
In March we added two new members to our Fine Arts Program. Christopher A. Sweeney, a U.S.M.C. veteran of Operation Desert Storm, joined us as both an actor and painter and will take charge of the Fine Arts Program as the Artistic Director. He is joined in the program by sketch artist and painter, Eric Estenzo, also a former Marine and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both veterans are extraordinarily talented artists and we are honored to have them involved. As we move back into Summer, we will again host the Children's Civic Light Opera (CCLO) summer camp, annd as we have done in the past, we will again take the children to New Directions, Inc. at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center to entertain the troops. This visit is always one the many highlights of our yearly schedule. We're looking forward to seeing John Keaveney and the veterans at ND again this year.
We will keep you posted on on upcoming events as they are scheduled and as always we invite you to get involved and while perusing our site, don't forget to visit our eclectic MySpace Page. Keith Jeffreys Artistic Director LAAVAA
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LAAVAA SLAM! Sunday, May 18th at 8 pm. |
We will announce the May line-up soon.
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LAAVAA, Los Angeles Area Veterans' Artists Alliance is proud to announce:
UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures, Professor and Director Victoria Marks is conducting, “Action Conversations,”
a workshop for artists, veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and artist/veterans of OEF and OIF.
The program will facilitate the exchange of oral histories and life
experiences. Utilizing improvisational techniques the participants will learn more
about each other and share their views on the world.
The project will encourage participants to gain new skills, illuminate experience and forge new alliances with others.
At UCLA, Department of World Arts and Cultures
“Action Conversations” will meet one evening/week, beginning the week of October 1st for 10 weeks. An honorarium is available for participants
Led by Victoria Marks, professor and director
For more information, contact Victoria Marks
vmarks@arts.ucla.edu
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