USVAA works with a number of veterans and artists in all aspects of the arts. Each of them possesses a wide range of views regarding their personal philosophy about art, their work as artists and veterans, the military, their service, war and combat and the transition from military service to civilian life.

John DiFusco

Currently in development: THE LONG WAY HOME, John's one-man play about the development of TRACERS, his seminal theatrical work about the Vietnam War.

John has far too many other achievements to easily list here. Please visit HIS WEBSITE to learn more.

Joseph Dillon

Brian Rock

Brian Rock is 46. He grew up in a small working class nationalist community in North Belfast during the 1960's, '70's and '80's; a time of the most turbulent years in Northern Irish history. His childhood was one of sectarian violence, attacks on his home, and harassment by the British Army. He was witness to bombings, shootings, riots, punishment beatings and kneecappings.

By age 8, he had been showered with broken glass from a bar being blown up; by age 13 had witnessed someone shot in the head 3 inches from his face; by 14 watched a gas station attack and saw someone burn in front of him. He bears the physical and emotional scars from a bombing, a shooting, and two stabbings.

His childhood robbed, Brian became embroiled in the perpetuating cycle of violence under the guise of political struggle. He finally left Northern Ireland in 1998, served in the U.S. military from 2001 - 2011, which included an overseas tour. He has since left active duty and is producing a series of paintings based on his experiences in Northern Ireland. He struggles with the emotional burden of memory.

Brian is married and now lives in Silver City, New Mexico.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Christopher A. Sweeney

Christopher A. Sweeney was born and raised in Yakima, Washington. It wasn't until his early thirties, after completing a four year enlistment in the Marine Corp and graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in Political Science, that he realized where his passions lie, finding himself compelled to pick up the brush. With no formal training to speak of, he has relied artistically on his aesthetic instincts and obedience to what he refers to as the "creative imperative".

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Giuseppe Pellicano

Giuseppe Pellicano is a United States Veteran who served in Germany, California, and Kosovo from 2000 to 2005. He will complete his B.A. at North Central College and will graduate Spring 2012. He has been accepted into Northern Illinois University's MFA Program.

Giuseppe has exhibited his work at various shows and galleries to include Prak (sis) Gallery and Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago. He has also presented work in Jen Deveroux's Animal Royal Fashion Show along with an installation partnered with Ordi and Ali at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Giuseppe was selected to show War Pigs, at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah and will also be presenting this piece at the 15th Annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research at North Central College. This work has been nominated for the Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award by his mentor Christine Rabenold through the International Sculptural Center in Hamilton New Jersey.

Giuseppe has been featured in the Naperville Sun and Beacon newspapers for his current work which commemorates soldiers who lost their lives during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. This project is funded and supported by North Central College's Richter Grant and will be on display in the Senior Art Show, May 2012.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Thomas Dang

Thomas Dang was born in 1983 in Glendale, California. He received his Master of Arts in Art and is currently working on his Master of Science in Microbiology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

Thomas has been a Graduate Assistant in both Ceramics and Microbiology, assisting professors in delivering curriculum and maintaining facilities. He is also a United States Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is Head Instructor at Rifkin Professional Karate Center.

Thomas is an emerging artist who has exhibited many solo and group shows at California State University, Northridge and has exhibited in areas around Southern California.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Ron Whitehead

Ron Whitehead was born and raised in Maryland. After graduating high school in 1989, he joined the United States Army for four years. While in the Army, he served all four years as an infantryman and was stationed in Fort Polk Louisiana and Bamberg, Germany. His time in Germany was spent with the 1st Armored Division although their tour was cut short when they were deployed to Iraq and participated in Desert Storm.

After being honorably discharged from active duty, Ron joined the Maryland Army National Guard while entering Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. He majored in Art Education for his undergraduate degree. He has been teaching Art at Ossining Union Free School District since 1998 and has since completed his Masters Degree in Instructional Technology through Western Connecticut State University.

Ron presently resides in Brewster, NY with his wife of 15 years and two children. His interests include reading military biographies, painting, kayaking, and photography. Ron’s BIGGEST passion is to serve fellow veterans in any way he can.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Greg Pitts

Greg Pitts is a mixed-media abstract artist, photographer and filmmaker based in Florida. He is an Ohio native and Findlay, Ohio is home of his Bow Tie Gallery.

His photography has been exhibited at the Museum of Art at the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, The University club of Vanderbilt University as well as at several venues in his now residence of South FL. He is a lifetime member of the International Freelance Photographers Association.

His artwork can be found in the Netherlands, South Africa, Vienna Austria as well as various cities throughout the United States and Canada. His “functional art” (artistically re-created furniture from recycled items) has been photographed and featured in many publications. His recycled art pieces are highly sought after and he has been dubbed an environmentalist due to his creative use of discarded and recycled objects.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Jonas Lara

Jonas Lara is a Marine Corps Veteran. He has a BFA in Photography and Imaging from the Art Center College of Design and is a MFA Fine Arts Candidate at the School of Visual Arts. He is a photographer, mixed media artist, and musician

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Lynn Pedigo

As a young lieutenant, Lynn served as a Combat Engineer during the Viet Nam War. He was promoted to Captain by age 22 and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Lynn received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and has been working as a professional photographer for over 25 years.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Brian Rock

Brian Rock is 46. He grew up in a small working class nationalist community in North Belfast during the 1960's, '70's and '80's; a time of the most turbulent years in Northern Irish history. His childhood was one of sectarian violence, attacks on his home, and harassment by the British Army. He was witness to bombings, shootings, riots, punishment beatings and kneecappings.

By age 8, he had been showered with broken glass from a bar being blown up; by age 13 had witnessed someone shot in the head 3 inches from his face; by 14 watched a gas station attack and saw someone burn in front of him. He bears the physical and emotional scars from a bombing, a shooting, and two stabbings.

His childhood robbed, Brian became embroiled in the perpetuating cycle of violence under the guise of political struggle. He finally left Northern Ireland in 1998, served in the U.S. military from 2001 - 2011, which included an overseas tour. He has since left active duty and is producing a series of paintings based on his experiences in Northern Ireland. He struggles with the emotional burden of memory.

Brian is married and now lives in Silver City, New Mexico.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE

Stephen Boskin

Stephen Boskin is a US Army veteran. He spent his formative years in the South Bronx. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1951 ( where he attended Pasture Middle School and Hamilton High School) He currently lives in West Los Angeles.

Stephen has won several awards at juried art exhibits. His photos have been published in newspapers, on the United States Congressional web sites, the Los Angeles City Council blogs, etc. He is a regular contributor of photos and articles to local neighborhood association newsletters.

Stephen tries not to color correct any of his work. He feels that he has frozen a moment in time and would like to share it as he remembers it. He uses Nikon cameras and lenses exclusively.

Please visit HIS WEBSITE