Outside The Lens Visits Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Creative Forces Conference
In early 2025, two Media Arts Educators from Outside the Lens (OTL), Eiram Torres and Natalie Devitt, embarked on an inspiring journey to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Creative Forces Conferences. Creative Forces is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers.
Creative Forces places creative arts therapies at the core of patient-centered care at clinical sites throughout the country, including telehealth services, and increases access to community arts activities to promote health, well-being, and quality of life for military service members, veterans, and their families and caregivers.
This gathering brought together artists, educators, and advocates dedicated to exploring the healing power of the arts for military-connected individuals and their families. As representatives of OTL, Eiram and Natalie shared their experiences, gained valuable insights, and strengthened their commitment to using creative expression as a tool for empowerment and community-building.
In early 2025, two Media Arts Educators from Outside the Lens (OTL), Eiram Torres and Natalie Devitt, embarked on an inspiring journey to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Creative Forces Conferences. Creative Forces is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers.
In early 2025, two Media Arts Educators from Outside the Lens (OTL), Eiram Torres and Natalie Devitt, embarked on an inspiring journey to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Creative Forces Conferences. Creative Forces is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs that seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military and veteran populations exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers.
This gathering brought together artists, educators, and advocates dedicated to exploring the healing power of the arts for military-connected individuals and their families. As representatives of OTL, Eiram and Natalie shared their experiences, gained valuable insights, and strengthened their commitment to using creative expression as a tool for empowerment and community-building.
OTL created the “Our Family, Our Story” program to provide military-connected individuals with free, intergenerational workshops that encourage self-expression, strengthen familial bonds, and foster social change through photography and mixed media art making.
Engaging in the Creative Forces Conference
The Creative Forces Conference was an enriching experience for both Eiram and Natalie.
Eiram, experiencing the East Coast for the first time, reflected on the impact of the conference:
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially weather-wise, as I’d never seen snow before. Attending the conference increased my understanding of how art is a healing practice that can help humans overcome hardship and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. It was powerful to interact with other educators from around the country and learn about their methods. I also got to attend workshops for South African drumming, drawing, acting, and dance, which left me feeling inspired.”
Natalie, deeply engaged in program development at OTL, shared her key takeaways:
“At the Creative Forces Convening, I learned how to more effectively design and tailor programs to vets, their families, and/or caregivers. I’m looking forward to using that knowledge as I create future workshops.”
The Creative Forces Conference was an enriching experience for both Eiram and Natalie. Eiram, experiencing the East Coast for the first time, reflected on the impact of the conference:
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially weather-wise, as I’d never seen snow before. Attending the conference increased my understanding of how art is a healing practice that can help humans overcome hardship and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. It was powerful to interact with other educators from around the country and learn about their methods. I also got to attend workshops for South African drumming, drawing, acting, and dance, which left me feeling inspired.”
Connecting Art and Community
During their time in Washington, D.C., Eiram and Natalie also had the opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural history. One particularly meaningful experience was their visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. For them, the museum served as a powerful reminder of the role storytelling plays in shaping history and fostering understanding across communities.
During their time in Washington, D.C., Eiram and Natalie also had the opportunity to explore the city’s rich cultural history. One particularly meaningful experience was their visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. For them, the museum served as a powerful reminder of the role storytelling plays in shaping history and fostering understanding across communities.
Looking Ahead
Eiram and Natalie’s experiences in Washington, D.C. underscore the transformative power of the arts, not only in personal storytelling but also in bridging communities. As they return home, their newfound knowledge and inspiration will continue to drive OTL’s work—empowering individuals to tell their stories, advocate for social change, and participate in shaping their communities’ futures.
As OTL moves forward with its Creative Forces grant programming, the insights gained from this conference will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of Our Family, Our Story, kicking off on March 24, 2025. By integrating new creative methodologies and strengthening program design, OTL aims to deepen its impact on military-connected families in San Diego and beyond.
Eiram and Natalie’s experiences in Washington, D.C. underscore the transformative power of the arts, not only in personal storytelling but also in bridging communities. As they return home, their newfound knowledge and inspiration will continue to drive OTL’s work—empowering individuals to tell their stories, advocate for social change, and participate in shaping their communities’ futures.
A History of Service
OTL has been hosting “Our Family, Our Story,” a free, intergenerational, photography program tailored to the military-connected community in San Diego, since 2019. Workshop participants learn fundamental photographic techniques and different ways to share their stories. Through storytelling, communication-building exercises, and poetry writing, families not only celebrate their foundational family values and stories, they open channels of communication and share their aspirations for the future.
A culminating public showcase of their artwork, all of which feature the voices and stories of participant families, engage the broader San Diego community in a dialogue between civilians and those who are military-connected. By utilizing photography, collaboration, and reflective writing as a means to self-reflect and heal, participants experience art-making as a restorative process that promotes open family communication and community connectedness for those who have experienced trauma.
The Our Family, our Story program was designed and created in 2019 by Chelsea Meiller, a former Naval Mass Communication Specialist, Photographer, and Lead Teaching Artist on this project, and Abe McNatt, Naval Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class. Abe is an experienced documentary photographer for the Navy and has collaborated with OTL in the past on our military initiative and other youth mentoring projects. Any person active in the military, veteran, their families, or families who lost a family member while deployed, qualifies for this programming and other free workshops. We also provide a discount for fee for service programs like summer camps. Military teens who participate in Our Family, Our Story will have ongoing opportunities to further develop their voice and vision in additional OTL teen programming like NextGen Voices.
OTL has been hosting “Our Family, Our Story,” a free, intergenerational, photography program tailored to the military-connected community in San Diego, since 2019. Workshop participants learn fundamental photographic techniques and different ways to share their stories. Through storytelling, communication-building exercises, and poetry writing, families not only celebrate their foundational family values and stories, they open channels of communication and share their aspirations for the future. A culminating public showcase of their artwork, all of which feature the voices and stories of participant families, engage the broader San Diego community in a dialogue between civilians and those who are military-connected. By utilizing photography, collaboration, and reflective writing as a means to self-reflect and heal, participants experience art-making as a restorative process that promotes open family communication and community connectedness for those who have experienced trauma.
The “Our Family, our Story” program was designed and created in 2019 by Chelsea Meiller, a former Naval Mass Communication Specialist, Photographer, and Lead Teaching Artist on this project, and Abe McNatt, Naval Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class. Abe is an experienced documentary photographer for the Navy and has collaborated with OTL in the past on our military initiative and other youth mentoring projects. Any person active in the military, veteran, their families, or families who lost a family member while deployed, qualifies for this programming and other free workshops. We also provide a discount for fee for service programs like summer camps. Military teens who participate in “Our Family, Our Story” will have ongoing opportunities to further develop their voice and vision in additional OTL teen programming like NextGen Voices.
Our Family Our Story is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces® initiative, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance.