Allies in Healing: Collaborative Community Arts

About the Exhibition

Allies in Healing: Collaborative Community Arts is a proposed exhibition for the fall of 2025, which will beheld at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery in Washington, DC. Smith Center is partnering with Uniting US – whose mission is to empower veterans, military, and their families to inspire communities to heal, find wellness, and unite through art – to present new visual art pieces by DC area veterans that showcase the stories and experiences of those who fought in the Vietnam war and their lives after this conflict. The intention of this exhibition is to commemorate the final year of the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War and its impact on the health of the many servicemembers who fought in that theater who have faced cancer and other life-challenging ailments. Allies in Healing will celebrate the healing, wellness, and community-building aspects of the artwork of Vietnam veterans exhibited at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery in Washington, DC. Smith Center will elevate the creative expression of impacted veterans and engage attendees to take inspiration from the powerful representations of those who served during that episode in our history.

Treasures Transformation Activity: A class of participants will each pick a wood box to upcycle into a personal treasure chest. All supplies and materials are onsite with Uniting US facilitators, Vietnam Navy Veteran Michael Higgs and War on Terror Army Veteran Christinia Helferich-Polosky. Early registration is recommended as spots fill up quickly.

Class Time: 2 pm – 4 pm

Allies for Life: Community members are invited to participate in placing and arranging personal and donated military uniform items on the backing material for incorporation into a symbolic, visual messages how casing our nation’s proud military history and service commitment to support and defend our nation. While military uniform designs have changed over our 250-year history, unique uniform flags, badges, ribbons, rank insignia and other uniform pieces represent our commitment to defend our nation through service and personal sacrifice. Bring uniform items from your service, or friends and family member’s service to create a large-scale, inspirational message of hope and resilience.

Uniting US is currently seeking military uniform insignia contributions and cash donations to facilitate multiple Allies for Life artworks in 2026. A 501(c)3 donation letter is available for material and cash donations.

Uniting Us Featured Events

Hands-On Artmaking Activities

February 21, 2026 2pm – 4pm

Transformative Finds — Class

Sign up early to reserve your spot in a limited seat class to upcycle wood boxes into a personal treasure chests! Special Guest Instructor – Navy Veteran Michael Higgs

• Basic Arts and craft supplies will be provided
• Each participant will pick one box
• Bring personal items to decorate your box

John Sonnier’s Senses Discussion

February 21, 2026 4 – 5pm

Experience the senses of John’s life-long dedication to fostering a legacy of cultural exchange through the harmony of the natural environment. Internationally acclaimed Horticulturist and Sculptor.

As an awardee of The Elizabeth Medal of Honor from the Royal Horticultural Society in London, John’s personal experiences shed light on his path to his horticultural pursuits benefiting all generations which encompasses his classical sculptor masterpieces.

Join the John and AnnMarie Halterman (Uniting US) discussion about a journey inspired by disappointment resulting in a living legacy.

Gallery of Works – John Sonnier

A gallery of works by John Sonnier. June 2, 2020

John Sonnier demonstrates using a pointing machine for the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Made in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Demonstrates how to use pointing machine on a plaster model of Hiram Powers “Greek Slave” to create a marble replica.

Used for Educational purposes only.

Created by the Smithsonian American Art Museum

July 9, 2015

This exhibition will open on Saturday, February 21st.

We invite you to join us at the Closing Exhibition for hands-on artmaking activities and a sensory experience inspired by John Sonnier, an internationally acclaimed horticulturist and sculptor.