Joe McCauley Gallery presents Student Veteran 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 through 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 in selected media that may include 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 Veteran’s Center Staff at 309-268-8153 or at the Penn Family Student Veteran’s Center located in the Workforce Development Center (WDC) building on the College Main Campus. 

About the Joe McCauley Gallery

Exhibits, events, and parking at Heartland’s Joe McCauley Gallery are free. The gallery is in room 2507 of the Instructional Commons Building (ICB) on Heartland's Normal campus, 1500 W. Raab Road.

 Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on days the College is open. Appointments for groups can also be made upon request.