By: Alyssa Ochss | St. Clair Shores Sentinel | Published March 19, 2024
ST. CLAIR SHORES — Project Brotherhood Resolve is hosting another Veterans Gallery Show this year with a few changes.
Joe Gemayel, owner and founder of Project Brotherhood Resolve, said instead of hosting the gallery, comedy show, sip-and-paint activity and other events for a full week, they plan on hosting them over the course of a weekend.
“But we’re still bringing in the veteran artists, displaying their art for sale and everything,” Gemayel said.
The events will be held May 31 through June 2 at Trader Todd’s Marina, 24030 E. Jefferson Avenue.
The opening gala will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31; sip and paint will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, and the Battle of the Branches comedy show will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on that same day.
A brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, with a band to follow from 2 to 4 p.m.
Admission for the sip-and-paint activity is $25 for adults and $10 for kids (who will sip apple juice). The comedy show has a $30 admission charge, and the gala and brunch are free.
The documentary shown last year, “Saving 22,” will not be shown this year.
They also will conduct a military ceremony to open the event. This includes a presentation of the colors, the national anthem, a benediction and the folding of the flag by the Young Marines. Gemayel said the flag will go to a surviving family that didn’t get to see such a presentation when a family member passed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other circumstances.
Jolene Copp, secretary of Project Brotherhood Resolve, said it’s a very humbling group to be a part of.
“To see the different military branches represented and the music and just the formality of it,” Copp said. “It’s very, very sobering and humbling to be able to experience.”
She said it’s good for the community to see this ceremony even if they don’t have a military connection.
Gemayel said veterans who would like to have their art featured in the gallery should apply by April 30.
“Any veteran artist is welcome, any art is welcome, any style of art is welcome so it’s not just limited paintings,” Gemayel said. “We got woodworking, we’ve got metalworks, as long as it’s art by the veteran.”
The gallery is open to the public and Gemayel said they invite everyone to come and see the art displayed.
“Because a lot of the veterans use art as a form of PTSD therapy,” Gemayel said. “So you kind of get to see the different styles, different ideas that are out there and what people do.”
He went on to say he encourages everyone to go to the gallery. He said if a person is going through something they can see another channel and explore different ways of treating what they are going through.
The Battle of the Branches comedy show features veterans from all branches of the United States military.
“They’re going to have 10 minutes each to kind of go back and forth,” Gemayel said. “It’s going to be set up to where they kind of go up against each other. So it’s not your average comedy show where you have one comedian on stage.”
Gemayel went on to say there’s going to be four different rounds of comedy.
“And whoever wins gets to finish the show,” Gemayel said.
All the comedians participating are from Michigan.
Copp said she’s excited to connect with the community and let them know what Project Brotherhood Resolve does. She said the goal is “to eventually have transitional housing for veterans to help them get back on their feet.”
Virginia Carstarphen, co-owner of Trader Todd’s with Todd Hyatt, said she’s proud of Gemayel for getting the Veterans Gallery Show past the third year.
“It’s a really important goal for an organization and for a particular event,” Carstarphen said. “I feel like this year is going to be the one that kicks up and I’m super excited about it and I think we’re getting that momentum from the community.”
Deni Metivier is one of the artists who displays her work at the gallery. She was in the army, and she said the art is very personal to her. She said her art is also language.
“I feel really good when somebody buys my art because it’s going to whoever needs the help,” Metivier said. “I don’t care. I can’t function unless I’m doing something for the proper reason.”
She went on to say it’s not to enrich herself.
“I’m comfortable in my life,” Metivier said. “But if I can sell art and it can help veterans that need help, that’s like a double whammy that helps me feel good about myself.”
Interested artists should contact Gemayel at (773) 456-4716 or Trader Todd’s Marina at (586) 776-5650. They can also email support@projectbrotherhoodresolve.org or projectbrotherhoodresolve@gmail.com.