About the Jim McCoy Veterans Program
The Jim McCoy Veterans Fund was created to honor the memory of our cherished friend and long-time ESSA staff member, Jim McCoy. A US military veteran who served in Vietnam with the 8th Cavalry Airmobile, Jim was decorated with the Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Bronze Star for his bravery. He held a deep respect for his fellow Vietnam Veterans and all who served, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Starting in 2017, Jim worked tirelessly to build and enhance veterans programs at ESSA. He was instrumental in establishing an annual veterans appreciation event, creating a dedicated veterans scholarship fund, and forming a lasting partnership with the VA Healthcare System of the Ozarks. To honor his commitment to ESSA’s veterans programs and his fellow servicemen and women, ESSA has named this fund in his memory.
Click here to donate to the Jim McCoy Veterans Program.
Celebrating Our Veterans: ESSA’s Annual Veterans Appreciation Day
At ESSA, we are dedicated to honoring our veterans with a special event that celebrates their service and sacrifice. We’re excited to announce that this year’s Veterans Appreciation Day will take place on Saturday, November 7th, 2026. This annual event offers U.S. military veterans a full day of free workshops across various mediums, all generously funded by donations to the Jim McCoy Veterans Fund. Attendees will also enjoy a complimentary lunch, thanks to our generous sponsors.
Reflecting on Last Year’s Event
On Saturday, November 16th, 2024, ESSA hosted a memorable Veterans Appreciation Day, filled with engaging workshops and creative exploration. Veterans had the chance to immerse themselves in hands-on activities at our studios, with options including Metal Sculpture, Woodturning, Small Metals, and more. To learn more about last year’s event, read the blog below:
On Saturday, November 15th, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA) welcomed Veterans to campus for Veterans Appreciation Day […]
Looking Ahead to 2026
We are thrilled to continue this tradition of honoring our veterans and are looking forward to another fantastic day of workshops and camaraderie for our 2026 event. For updates and more information on ESSA’s Veterans Appreciation Day, be sure to follow us on social media, subscribe to our mailing list, or visit our Veterans Appreciation Day event page.
ESSA’s Art for Veterans Program: Crafting Healing and Connection for Our Heroes
Since its inception in 2018, the Art for Veterans Program has been a fundamental part of ESSA’s efforts to support veterans. What began with our very first Veterans Appreciation Day has blossomed into a dynamic series of creative workshops in collaboration with the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. These workshops, tailored for veterans receiving in-patient care at the Fayetteville, AR facility, have proven to be both popular and impactful.
We are excited to share that ESSA has received a Capacity Building grant of $6,600 from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF). This substantial grant will enable us to keep our Art for Veterans Program running strong, allowing us to offer free art and craft workshops annually to 50-60 veterans from our local and regional communities.
At ESSA, we believe that art plays a crucial role in nurturing the human spirit. Our mission is to cultivate artistic expression by providing educational opportunities in art and fine craft. As a non-profit school, we are committed to offering a range of free programming to enrich our community, with a special focus on veterans.
To stay up-to-date with the Jim McCoy Veteran’s Program and other ESSA updates, follow us on social media or join our mailing list by clicking the links below: