“As a veteran, art has brought me joy and improved my quality of life,” said Roberto Flores, who found support and creative expression through veteran programs at Old Town Artisan Studios.
Roberto Flores was born in Long Beach, California. Upon his high school graduation, Flores enlisted in the United States Military. Unfortunately, Flores was severely wounded during his deployment in Afghanistan.
Seeking healing and support, Flores traveled back to California. He faced a long journey of healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Like many veterans, I was searching for something meaningful that could help me reconnect with myself and my community,” he recalls.
The search led Flores and his partner, Alma, to Old Town Artisan Studios (OTAS) in La Quinta, California.
OTAS is a nonprofit that offers people of all ages a space to express themselves through clay, glass, painting, drawing, and other art forms. The organization supports veterans by using art as a tool for healing and emotional processing, especially for those coping with trauma.
When Flores discovered that OTAS offered an art program specifically for veterans, he said something inside of him “lit up.”
Not knowing what to expect, Flores and Alma decided to visit the studio.
From the moment they stepped foot on campus, Flores described a “beautiful energy” and a “sense of peace and welcoming” that he had not felt in a long time.
“It felt safe and inspiring,” he said.
Originally, Flores did not see himself as a creative person. However, through the veteran art program he was able to work with clay and learned to express himself in ways he had never imagined. He was moved by watching the creative process unfold, especially after seeing his finished products come out of the kiln.
“I was amazed by what could be created with time, effort, and support,” he admitted. “I feel very proud of myself because it allowed me to work on things that I did not know that I could even do,” Flores added.
Flores says art has given him a sense of accomplishment and helped him reconnect with parts of himself that he thought he had lost.
“I feel like it is important to offer these programs to veterans because I have seen the change in Roberto,” Alma expressed. “He came from believing he had no creativity, to seeing exactly what he is capable of.”
“The veterans art program at Old Town Artisan Studios has changed my life, and I know it can change the lives of others who have served,” Flores said gratefully.
To learn more about the veteran art program at Old Town Artisan Studios, visit https://oldtownartisanstudios.org/outreach-programs/
