Caption for header image: Veteran artists and staff pose together in front of the “Diffuse + Disarm” activity corresponding to Holton’s featured artworks. The interactive station prompts visitors to reflect on a time of uncertainty when they felt like a “ticking time bomb,” then to write or draw how they felt on the provided paper, and place it into the opening of Fat Boi (2025).

Written by Julia Nguyen, TAG Gallery Monitor

On February 14, The Art Galleries (TAG) at Austin Community College hosted a private workshop for U.S. military veterans, artists, and TAG staff to engage creatively with ceramic bomb sculptures made by artist and ACC faculty member Thomas Holton. Participants were invited to draw and write on the surfaces of the objects using acrylic markers and oil pastels to transform the sculptures through a process of collective mark-making. The veterans were encouraged to bring their perspectives and interpretations to the project, to allow for them to visually manifest new ideas or sentiments on these symbols of war and destruction.

The finished sculptures reflect layers of shared creative transformation, featuring optimistic phrases and imagery in vivid colors.

The once-unmarked ceramic sculptures are now accompanied by visual contributions from the workshop’s participants.

Holton’s artwork in Exploring Uncertainty: An Interactive Exhibition depicts an array of various bombs and explosives throughout history, from ancient grenades to nuclear bombs. It was conceived in response to the social uncertainty that seems to permeate our daily lives, in moments that he likens to the detonation of a bomb. For this workshop, Holton asked participants to approach the sculptures collaboratively, where no single person would complete a piece on their own. Instead, each “bomb” would accumulate contributions from multiple artists, echoing the artist’s earlier, community-based project entitled Fat Boi, that encouraged viewers to engage directly with the work by covering its surface with drawings and writings.

ACC alumna and TAG Gallery Tech Gina Woodruff helps participants begin the artmaking process.

The session was facilitated by Peter Buotte, a Texas-based artist, art therapist, and military veteran who integrates arts-based practices with mental health advocacy. Buotte opened the workshop with introductions and breathing exercises, and shared information about mental health resources available to help bolster veterans. Along with TAG Gallery Tech, Gina P. Woodruff, who is working on her professional counseling license and board certification in art therapy, Boutte created a calming mood for workshop attendees. Many of the attendees are connected to AVAFEST, a non-profit initiative dedicated to veteran suicide prevention by supporting veterans through arts events. TAG has been an ongoing partner with AVAFEST, hosting programming that centers around veteran voices and encourages healing through reflection and discourse.

Veteran artists embellish the ceramic sculptures using acrylic markers and oil pastels.

In addition to their collective mark-making, the participants returned the sculptures to their displays in different positions than where they were originally, further emphasizing the collaborative nature of the workshop.

As participants worked, candid conversations flowed between their past and present experiences in service, the current political climate, and their hopes for the future. One veteran shared their familiarity with the Tomahawk missile while adding stars and “LIVE EPIC” to its ceramic counterpart. Despite the serious themes addressed at the workshop, the atmosphere remained lighthearted and good-humored, which seemed to be reflected in the artmaking that unfolded. Across the sculptures, optimistic phrases, such as “art is my weapon” and “be a good soul” appeared in bright colors alongside cheerful designs, reframing the objects through messages of resilience and hope.

The Art Galleries at ACC are free and open to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 10am-5pm, or on Monday and Friday by appointment. Exploring Uncertainties: An Interactive Exhibition is on view from January 20 through March 26, 2026 in Gallery 2000 (HLC 2.2450) on the Highland Campus. The exhibition features interactive stations where visitors are encouraged to engage with the theme of uncertainty and tell their own stories.

Gallery Tech Gina P. Woodruff and ACC Professor Thomas Holton observe the artmaking in process.

Detail of one of the ceramic bomb sculptures.