ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

Previously located in downtown ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ on W. Main Street, the new location of Warrior’s Canvas is now in Suite 4 at 3201 Bristol Hwy. This move happened on Feb. 1, according to Maria Whitson, the program director at Warrior’s Canvas.

Whitson said the soft opening to make the new location operational was on March 1, and the official grand opening for the location will be on May 31. Part of the reason for this delay is due to the final touch ups in the building for opening.

“Our soft opening was just for the art stations and having the place where our vets can come back to, and our families and our volunteers–that was March 1,� Whitson said. “Right now, we’re still working–which is what the grand opening is–is now getting our final piece which is our gift shop and our gallery, all of that will be completed for our grand opening. That’s the reason why we haven’t had our grand opening.�

Warrior’s Canvas is a nonprofit organization that was started by two veterans, David Shields and Jason Sabbides, who were also local art judges according to Whitson. Whitson explained the creation of the organization blossomed from the founders’ understanding of the difficulties with livelihood transitions for veterans after service, establishing Warrior’s Canvas as a place for both artistic expression and support for veterans.

“Not only is it a place for our veterans to come and display their many different mediums of artwork…but it’s also a place for our veterans and our families to get the kind of support that they need,� said Whitson. “By other veterans (or) by other family members that have had either similar stories or same challenges that they’re facing.�

Since its opening, Whitson said Warrior’s Canvas has grown with the amount of people that it supports and the community members that participate in what the organization has to offer. She added a major reason for moving from their location on W. Main Street to the building on Bristol Highway had to do with the limited parking situation at the original location.

“Our new location offers exclusive parking for all our guests,� Whitson said. “While there are other merchants in that area, most of them carry different hours, so we definitely have plenty of parking for all our guests to come. That was actually one of the reasons why a lot of our vets now come that didn’t come before, because of the parking. It was just a challenge–many of them are disabled or have trouble walking–so now that we have that, it is a huge milestone for us.�

Another improvement at the new location is the ramp located at the back of the building. Whitson said this is beneficial for veterans and family members who have to use a walker or wheelchair to enter the building, helping them to avoid the step located at the front. She also said there’s now an accessible handicap bathroom, which was something that wasn’t available at Warrior’s Canvas’s first location.

“Our bathroom, as well, is equipped for handicap access, whereas before it did not,� Whitson said. “Our bathroom that was downtown did not allow for a wheelchair or a walker, and we do now. Our landlord made special modifications to cater to our veterans, so that’s wonderful and we love the support that we get from him.�

Whitson added one major positive aspect at the new location is the ability to give veterans individual privacy if they have a need to speak to someone. She explained the original location was “one big open bay,� whereas the new location has individual rooms available for veterans and community members to do a handful of different projects. The multi-art room in particular, when needed, can be converted into a place of privacy for veterans to use when necessary.

“If we have any of our vets that need to see their counselor, need a virtual appointment with their therapist at the VA–or anyone at the VA, for that matter–don’t have wifi, don’t have a computer, we are happy to set the room up for them with a computer where they can do a one-on-one visit with them,� Whitson said. “We have the means now to give them that privacy where they can have that time with their appointment, and that was something we weren’t able to offer before.�

Whitson also said Warrior’s Canvas is a place that fosters community engagement through the classes citizens can pay to attend, such as their ceramics, upholstery and leather works classes, along with “paint parties.� She added in May, there's also the plan to have monthly kids art station days on Saturdays to allow children to “experience the fundamental joys and expressive art benefits of art.�

The classes not only get the community involved with Warrior’s Canvas, but also give recognition to the veterans and their works through creative expression.

“We want to make sure our community knows our vets are very much a part of this community (and) would love to receive their support,� Whitson said. “We always welcome the community to come out and participate in some of our paid classes, as well. They certainly can come in and browse, and shop and purchase any of those art items, as well.�