War Veterans' Photographs Aim to Heal

The art of three veterans who use photography as a manner of healing from their tours of duty is being auctioned off this evening to raise funds for a Hartford-based Veteran's Art Foundation.

"Healing through creativity" is the motto of the foundation, a non-profit founded in 2008 by Iraq Army veteran Mike Hawley of Glastonbury, raises awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder on veterans and their families and uses art therapy as a form of therapeutic recovery for PTSD victims.

Hawley, who works at the , was joined in 2010 by Middletown Police Officer, Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Al Kim and Vietnam vet Ira Dick of Wethersfield.

Kim was seriously injured in 2003 when his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb while he was deployed with the Connecticut National Guard's 143rd Military Police Company. Dick is retired from the Air Force.

Hawley has a bachelor's degree from Northeastern University in criminal justice. He served four years in the Army and spent 16 months in Iraq.

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The foundation's goals are four-pronged:

• To ease transition into civilian life for returning vets through different means.

• Allow members to express themselves through art, writing, multimedia, and public speaking.

• To help disabled veterans gain a semblance of order in their life

• To bridge the gap between the art world and veterans.

The silent auction proceeds will be used by the VAF to build an office in Hartford, and hiring freelance art therapy teachers and therapists.

The artists will be at , 181 Court Street, a 6 p.m., followed by a silent auction through 10 p.m. Bidding begins at $50.

For information about the VAF, see here and here.

The VAF is looking for donations, including art to raise funds, film, cameras, art supplies; equipment, money and space are all tax-deductible.