Local veterans create art to deal with war troubles

 

Willie Lowery Jr. sees every piece of art he creates — every line, every color, every meaning — as a vision before he begins to put marker to paper.

 

When complete, his artwork is full of colorful emotions that flowed from his heart.

Lowery’s artwork and other pieces created by area veterans will be on display at the Massillon Museum beginning Nov. 10.

 

The museum, in partnership with the Akron and Massillon chapters of the Daughters of American Revolution and the Ohio Military Museum, will host the exhibit open to veterans who live or work in Stark and Summit counties.

 

Art, Lowery said, can help a soldier deal with the emotions that stem from war.

 

“No one talks about the ugly truth,” he said. “Veterans are suffering from side effects of soldier’s duties. They can go into lock down. Art will bring them through the tough times.”

 

Lowery, a Vietnam veteran and advocate for fellow veterans, said artwork always has helped him through tough times.

 

Even as a child when sent to his room, he used drawing to get through the punishment.

Lowery hopes the art show will allow his fellow veterans the opportunity to display their artwork — from written word to paintings to sculptures and more — and possibly inspire others.

 

“When veterans see how others are reaching their dreams, it helps another veteran,” he said.

Lowery approached Massillon Museum Director Alexandra Nicholis Coon about a venue for veterans to display artwork.

 

“He shared that he turned to art as therapy after returning from Vietnam,” she said. “(War) shakes your character and he found art a way he could transform potentially negative energy into something positive and was able to move forward.”

 

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