HCC gallery presents CreatiVets art

Artwork from a Heartland Community College course offered to veterans is on display at the Joe McCauley Gallery on campus this semester.

Heartland’s Joe McCauley Gallery presents the CreatiVets Art Show Display from January 8 to March 6, 2026.

Last year, Heartland launched the course Art 120, CreatiVets Intro to Veteran Art. This course is envisioned as a place where veterans of the US military can explore their experiences through art making. Students learn the fundamentals of working hands-on with selected media, including collage, sculpture, ceramics, photography, painting, and drawing. The course covers concepts of art creation, historical and contemporary visual culture, and an exploration of the creative process. Using these resources, students will examine and express their experiences of military service, with an emphasis on process, exploration, and peer/instructor discussion.

Tuition and all course expenses for the college credit course were paid for student veterans thanks to a partnership with the non-profit organization CreatiVets, which was founded by Heartland Community College alumnus Richard Casper.

The Intro to Veteran Art course completed two sessions in 2025, and the art on display was created during that time.

Students are dedicating the exhibit to fellow classmate Nancy Benedict, who passed away last year. Student veterans collaborated to finish their classmate’s unfinished artwork after her unexpected passing.

The College will also hold an exhibit artist reception with student artists at the Gallery at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3. 

Veterans interested in learning more about the CreatiVets Intro to Veteran Art course may contact the Veterans Center Staff at 309-268-8153 or at the Penn Family Student Veterans Center located in the Workforce Development Center (WDC) building on the College Main Campus.