
THE CREATIVES

Steve Dilley
Founder & Executive Director
Steve founded The Veterans Art Project in 2009 and has grown it from one college site to two San Diego locations, led Arts Engagement workshops to enhance veterans’ wellness, oversees operations and teaches ceramics.

Reginald Green
Art Instructor
Reggie, a medically retired Navy veteran with 15 years of service, is a dedicated VETART participant and instructor who, after volunteering for a year and a half, now teaches art classes at the ASPIRE Center and the V.A. in La Jolla.

Ivan Sam
Cultural Ambassador
Ivan Sam (ToweringHouseCreations) is a talented artist, Navy veteran, and proud member of the Diné Nation.

Sheryl Shaffer
Documentarian
Sheryl Shaffer, a Vietnam Era veteran, is the creator of Veterans Helping Veterans TV and an award-winning community media producer with a background in civil service and veteran advocacy.

Stephanie Rodriguez
Social Media Manager
Stephanie, a cybersecurity student and lifelong advocate for veterans, uses her passion for storytelling and social media to honor and uplift the military community.

Darron DeVillez
MC and Event Coordinator
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Sadie Norr
Marketing Specialist
Sadie Norr, a recent UCSD graduate, joined VETART through her grandfather, founder of RIP Medical Debt, and now helps the organization build community connections and raise awareness.

Tonya Savile
Director of Advocacy & Peer Support Specialists
Tonya, an Air Force Veteran (1981–1992), overcame PTSD and chronic pain through art and now advocates for its use as a mental wellness tool for fellow Veterans.

Xochitl Ellery Husted
Grant Writer
Xochitl, a Master's student in Sociology at Stockholm University, applies her research expertise and passion for social justice to secure funding and highlight VETART’s impact on marginalized veteran communities.

Omar Columbus
Office Manager
Omar Columbus, a U.S. Air Force veteran and artist, uses poetry and photography as creative outlets for healing and advocacy, facilitating veteran writing workshops, performing with VETART, and advocating for arts funding before Congress.

Anthony LoBue
Art Advocate Extraordinaire
Anthony is a multidisciplinary artist, Vietnam War veteran, and founder of the Arts for Veterans Project, dedicated to empowering others through the arts.
Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness can reach out anytime to the VA National Call Center for support at 877-424-3838 or visit www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.



