Alpha Romeo Tango (ART) Program 

FREE Art Classes for veterans, active duty service members, and members of the National Guard/Reserve.

Let ART inspire and connect you! This 10-week series of art classes focuses on hand-building clay, held at both the Military & First Responders Center and at the Canton Museum of Art. Sign up for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 sessions — or BOTH! Registration is FREE, but required for capacity purposes.

ART is not an “art class” in the traditional sense – there is no right or wrong, no pressure, only expression. Classes focus on the creative aspect of using clay-creating for participants to tell a story or express feelings about themselves, their families, their pets, their service. The program stresses being a “safe place” to create with each other, support each other, and also to share stories. However, participants are “learning” and the process is engaging and meaningful. ART’s clay classes allows participants to feel connected, to feel like they belong to a larger community of learners — and through art, to feel like they can share their stories. Some past participants expressed:
 

• “Spending time working with the other Veterans was a real joy.”

• “Very relaxing, I like working with hands and thoughts.”

• “I had no clue on how to construct and make something with clay, I now feel fairly confident with the techniques I learned. I found working with the clay so relaxing and meditative. I have a creative side I love tapping into.”

• “People are always thanking us for our service, but the Museum [ART Program] is a good example of ACTUALLY thanking someone for their service.”

ART is led by artist, teacher, and military spouse, Susan Mentrak. Susan is a ceramic artist and illustrator born and raised in Ohio. She graduated with a degree in Illustration from The Columbus College of Art and Design. She devotes herself to learning, developing, and sharing her expertise in clay creation.

Related ART experiences will be held at Pegasus Farm's Military & First Responders Center (M&FRC). You do not need to be enrolled in the classes to participate. DETAILS COMING SOON! These will include:

• "Day of Clay" workshops to introduce participants to artistic expression through clay – creating age-appropriate guided projects. Families and all welcome!

• Art & Creative Writing / Poetry special programs about select art and artists in the Museum’s Collection. These would feature reproductions of works from the Collection and allow participants to learn about the artists, challenges they may have overcome, and how their work reflects their resiliance. Participants would be encouraged to express themselves through writing / poetry about what those stories and works of art meant to them.

• Art & Music: CMA will work with M&FRC to create opportunities for military participants/families at their facility to use music to express themselves inspired by art shared from CMA’s Collection.

Fall 2025 art classes will be held on (dates coming soon!) from 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Military & First Responders Center in Louisville  5495 MEESE ROAD | LOUISVILLE, OH 44641

Spring 2026 art classes will be held on (dates coming soon!) from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Canton Museum of Art 1001 MARKET AVENUE NORTH | CANTON, OH 44702

All Spring classes will culminate in a Community Exhibit Celebration at the Canton Museum of Art in April 2026. 

Registration is not yet open, but please check back on July 1, or contact amanda@cantonart.org to request to be added to our student roster!

If you need assistance, please contact Patron Services at the Museum: 330-453-7666 ext.111

Supported/funded by the

The Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network 

 to “improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations”.  https://www.arts.gov/