Exhibit spotlights how soldiers, veterans use art as an outlet

The International Museum of Art in central El Paso will have a special exhibit on Veterans Day.

The artwork comes from veterans who have used oil painting, photography and other types of art as an outlet to deal with transitioning into civilian life.

The Soldier Art Workshop got its start two years ago by retired Fort Bliss Lt. Col. John Robbins and his wife Krystyna, who is an artist.

It started as a trial run to find out if soldiers would even want to take part in art projects and it didn’t take long for the Robbins’ efforts to pick up steam.

Lt. Col. Robbins said he knows what it’s like to return from war looking for an outlet.

“Speaking from experience, it’s kind of tough when you come back, it’s hard to talk to people and you need something to take your mind off where you were and what you were doing,” said Robbins.

“We thought about art as therapy,” said Krystyna Robbins.

The project has yielded some positive results from those who have taken the classes.

Manuel Renteria was recently medically discharged from the military after he served 27 years.

He said he’s taken almost all the classes, but took an interest in metal works. Renteria’s sculpture of an American bald eagle holding a flag will be displayed at the museum.

“The resilience of the metal, being able to bend it and damage it, but then being able to repair it, that kind of gave meaning to me,” Renteria said.

A message he wants to share with other veterans and transitioning soldiers.

“We all come back and have our issues, but we have to redefine ourselves and find ourselves,” he said.

The Robbins’ now have a formal agreement with Fort Bliss through 2020 to offer its workshops on post to veterans, transitioning soldiers and their families and soldiers who have come out of the suicide prevention program.

“We had some soldiers who were seriously not ready to go back to regular life and one of them has now transitioned to California where he started a website and sells his artwork,” Lt. Col. Robbins said.

The workshops are free for soldiers preparing for civilian life and the cost ranges from $15 to $20 per workshop for veterans, but the Robbins’ supply all the materials.

Local artists have joined the Robbins’ efforts by volunteering their time to host classes in various types of art.

The Soldier Art Workshop Exhibit will be on display at the International Museum of Art from 5:30-8pm, located at 1211 Montana Ave.