MOORESTOWN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — An exhibition in South Jersey of work by veterans is honoring their service by sharing their unique stories, urging visitors to make human connections, and demonstrating the healing power of the creative process.

Art Smith, visual arts instructor at the Perkins Center for the Arts, said he wanted to create a cross-generational connection with their second annual United States Veterans & Active Duty Military Exhibition.

“What we didn’t expect was the sense sense of community that developed,” he said.

“We’ll have vets in service from the Vietnam era, and others from Iraq. Men, women and a variety of ages. And there is a wonderful bond that develops as they work.”

The Perkins Center offers free art classes for veterans and the surrounding community. Smith says the creative process has a tremendous healing effect on veterans who have witnessed and experienced all manner of trauma.

“As an institution, we see this as an opportunity to continue the message of the importance of the arts for our veterans, for our communities,” said Khama Buss, the Center’s executive director.

Shandon Willey is a veteran and volunteer at the Center.

“Working with the arts, we understand. It’s a very inclusive organization and do whatever it’s going to take for people to heal, if that’s why they’re coming, or if they just want to learn something,” Willey said.

Smith says the artists truly open up in powerful ways. For instance, one artist created a comic book character using a combat helmet and prosthetic leg.

“The purpose is to offer better,” Smith said. “And an opportunity for veterans to do art as leisure, to involve themselves in the creative process, which is a healing process.”

The exhibit is running now through Dec. 16. There will be a meet-and-greet with the artists on Nov. 16.