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 16th, 2024. 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 18th, 2023, 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:
- Making a Small Box with instructor Ray Taylor in the Windgate Wood Studio.
- Metal Sculpture with instructor Bobby Babcock in the Windgate Iron Studio.
- Introduction to Small Metals with instructor Mary Lou Christie in the Small Metals Studio.
- Drawing with Pen and Ink with instructor James White in the 2D Studio.
- Pen Turning with instructor Darla Gray-Winter in the lathe room of the Windgate Wood Studio.
The success of the event was made possible through the support of our generous sponsors: Cox Communications, Sun Fest Market, Island Airco, Sabina and Jack Miller, CS Bank, and Elks USA. We extend a special thank you to Sun Fest Market for providing a delicious complimentary lunch for all attendees.
Thank you to our Veterans Appreciation Day 2023 Sponsors:
Looking Ahead to 2024
We are thrilled to continue this tradition of honoring our veterans and are looking forward to another fantastic day of workshops and camaraderie in 2024. 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.
Veterans Workshops Offered in 2024 were:
- Shaker Bench in the ESSA Windgate Wood Studio with instructor Steve Walter
- Copper Cuffs: in the ESSA Small Metals Studio with instructor Mary Lou Christie
- Box Making with instructor Ray Taylor in the ESSA Windgate Wood Studio
- Printmaking with instructor Dawn Ward in the ESSA 2D Studio.
Thanks to the generosity of the DVNF and the support from the Jim McCoy Veterans Program, ESSA is proud to continue offering these valuable artistic opportunities. As our Art for Veterans Program expands, we remain dedicated to providing enriching and empowering experiences for those who have served our nation.
Forging New Paths: ESSA’s Commitment to Veteran Empowerment Through Art The Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA) is delighted […]
Thank you to Our Sponsors
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: