JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Healing through art is the goal of a nation-wide initiative called Creative Forces.

On Saturday, art professionals and military representatives attended a conference in Jacksonville to talk about the benefits of art therapy for veterans and active duty personnel.

In partnership with the Defense Department, Veteran's Affairs and other art agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts started the initiative.

They have since placed art therapy resources at 11 military medical facilities across the country including Camp Lejeune.

“That whole process of creativity helps them to make tangible some of the experiences they've gone through and it brings it out and gives them back the control of their lives," said Jane Chu, Chair of the National Endowment of the Arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts hopes to expand the Creative Forces initiative to other sites, to continue promoting wellness through art.

 

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