VetACon Associates
Bill Richards - Founder/CEO
Bill Richards first got started in the arts in the mid 1970's.
Started on the banjo at the age of 9
Check out BANJO BILL -Facebook
(1977) and then on guitar at the age of 11.
Check out Bill Richards Musician - Facebook
Mr. Richards got also involved in the arts while in High School winning several awards.
Bill Richards - Artist - Facebook
Now dealing with arthritis - Mr. Richards works mostly in digital
Richards Digital Art - Facebook
While in High School he won several awards both in art and music. During the mid-late 80's Mr. Richards attended Western Kentucky University where he took several advanced art classes before enlisting in the US Army in 1989.
Mr. Richards was stationed at Fort Stewart, GA with the 24th ID(M) when he was deployed in Desert Shield/Storm.
After getting out of the service in 1992 Mr. Richards played in several bands through out the United States, and has sold his artwork around the world.
Mr. Richards also got his start in the Korean Martial Arts known as Tang Soo Do. In which he has taught not only in 2 States (Kentucky and Michigan) - he also taught overseas during Operation Desert Storm.
Tang Soo Do United - Facebook
From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Richards looked for band members to be a part of, and not finding any - went into the Karaoke business.
He founded VetACon Karaoke in 1995 in Russellville, Kentucky and by 2000 he had expanded all across South Central Kentucky. Mr. Richards contines that tradition now in Michigan with shows from Ludington, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Hart, Lansing and more.
From 2006-2012 - Mr. Richards has won over 40 Blue Ribbons and 25 Red Ribbons for his art in Oceana County Fairs every year for 6 years.
- 1989-1992 Served with the US Army C.Co. 724 Desert Shield/Storm. His MOS was 29E (Radio Repair)
- 1991 Mr. Richards was awarded Honorable Kentucky Colonel
- 2016 Mr. Richards won a Gold Medal finalist with the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
- 2017 Mr. Richards was recognized as a Veteran of Influence in Art/ Music by the City of Grand Rapids
- 2018 Mr. Richards was again awarded a Gold Medal and a finalist in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
- 2018 Mr. Richards placed forth and was awarded $2,000 for his idea of VetACon with the MVE Lab.
- 2018 Mr. Richards formed the Veterans Creative Arts program where Veterans teach other veterans Creative Arts for an alternative method of battling PTSD.
- 2019 Mr. Richards was active in the Veteran Action Board in Grand Rapids, MI and is on the Veteran and Family Council out of Battle Creek.
- 2021 Mr. Richards taught various classes at O'Flynn's Art Gallery in Cedar Springs, MI ( Free to Veterans)
- 2021 Mr. Richards also taught Guitar/Banjo classes at Scott's Music Store in Cedar Springs, Michigan
- 2021 Mr. Richards was again awarded Honorable Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky
- 2023 Mr. Richards held a VetACon Event in Grand Rapids, MI ( Video on front page)
- 2024 Mr. Richards was a veteran artist in the Grand Rapids Art Prize (Art For Honor) with both an art and musical entry
- 2024 Mr. Richards worked as an instructor and Lessons Lead Manager for Guitar Center
- 2025 Mr. Richards was interviewed by WZZM 13 (video on front page)
- 2025 Mr. Richards was a veteran artist for the Grand Rapids Art Prize ( Art For Honor) with both an art piece and musical entry
- 2025 Mr. Richards was interviewed by WZZM 13 about the Art For Honor
- 2025 Mr. Richards performed for the Art For Honor Open Mic
- 2025 Mr. Richards performed at Garage Bar and Grill September 2025
- 2025 Mr. Richards performed at Muskegon Stand Down November 2025
- 2025 Mr. Richards recieved Veteran of The Year Award by Wayland VFW.
- 2025 Mr. Richards entered the MVE Lab. Click here for Photos
- 2026 Mr. Richards performed at Tip Top Bar and Grill - Click here for photos
- 2026 Mr. Richards won First place at the State of Michigan Eagles Talent Contest in Lansing, Michigan
Photos - 2026 Mr. Richards is performing VetACon Karaoke at the Eagles #1039 Lansing, Michigan Click here for photos
2026 Mr. Richards is a veteran artist participating in Grand Rapids Art Prize
Mr. Richards is the Website designer for this site, and actively runs several business style pages on Facebook.
Mr. Richards was featured on the VA Blog as "Veteran of the Day" - See Article -
VetACon Ambassador/Event Specialist - Duke Harrison
Army Veteran Duke Harrison.
Mr. Harrison is a combat veteran who served in the US Army.
Former Staff Sergeant 19K/11B at US Army/MIARNG Combat Veteran
August 18, 1997 - July 12, 2013
Bosnia, OIF/OEF
Duke Harrison's goals is to get more veterans involved in the Creative Arts and we are proud and honored to have him as part of our team. Thank you Top! Hooah
SHARED LINK PROGRAMS
Vet to Vet
Operation Truth
Check out the Vet 2 Vet Life Crisis Team Suicide Intervention Website They can also be found on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vettovetlct/
Operation Truth
Operation Truth
Operation Truth- Vaccination Exposure Research was built to bring awareness of Gulf War Era Illness/Injuries effect on those suffering. With an emphasis on our Family Members and those who are affected but have Not deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of military operations. While partnering with other like minded groups to produce th
Operation Truth- Vaccination Exposure Research was built to bring awareness of Gulf War Era Illness/Injuries effect on those suffering. With an emphasis on our Family Members and those who are affected but have Not deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of military operations. While partnering with other like minded groups to produce the appropriate Legislation. We plan to bring our case to Congress and win the much deserved benefits for our Gulf War Era Veterans and our Family members who are not being represented in Congress.
GUITARS FOR VETERANS
Veterans shouldn’t have to face the challenges of PTSD in silence or alone. Through the teamwork and camaraderie of Guitars for Vets, they can join a community where they learn to play guitar and find solace in the songs they love as well as the songs they have yet to write
MY CREATIVE PTSD
The mission of My Creative PTSD is to support emotional healing, wellness, coping, and personal change through art and creative expression for veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay
Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay
Mack Macksam is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in History with a minor in German Studies. In 1991 received a commissioned in the United States Army, Field Artillery. Major Mack has served honorably 20 years in the United States Army in various leadership, command and staff positions in a global setting. His last
Mack Macksam is a graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in History with a minor in German Studies. In 1991 received a commissioned in the United States Army, Field Artillery. Major Mack has served honorably 20 years in the United States Army in various leadership, command and staff positions in a global setting. His last assignment was Director of Military Science and Leadership at the University South St Petersburg where he founded and lead the Officers Training Program for Pinellas County, during that time in 2009 he personally dedicated "To Those Who Serve" Veterans Memorial to USFSP. He has graduate of Officers Basic Course, Air Defense Officers Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Air Assault, Military History Instructors Course and holds a master's in organizational management. In 2012 he secured a 30K National American Soldier Exhibit which was a first in the State and now permanently donated at the St Petersburg Museum of History. In 2016 he founded the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay with provides therapy, healing /wellness and education programming thru the arts, Iin2017 acted a Senior Advisor the United Arab Emirates Forces for their operations and leader development Recently has returned the USA after working in Germany a various trade and commerce ventures. Currently he is the Senior Director of Development for ESCOT Bus Lines. and CEO of Leadership Development Initiatives. Major Mack is active in the community: Board of Trustee, St Petersburg Museum of History, Vice President Association United States Army Executive Committee, Veterans Advisory Council US Rep Gus Bilirakis, US Global Leadership Coalition, Greater Tampa Chamber Military Affairs Committee, MacDill Air Fest Committee and Goodwill Ambassador. Mack looks forward to the future in public office.
Arts FOR VETERANS
Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay
Our Mission
Arts for Veterans is dedicated to empowering Veterans and their Allies through the Arts.
STEVE KOST - METAL HEALTH ARTWORK
STEVE KOST
I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and joined the Navy at age 17 after graduating high school early. I enlisted as a Hull Technician and earned a spot in the Navy Seabees – a ground based battle ready construction force.
WELCOME TO ZED COMICS ORIGINAL
WELCOME TO ZED COMICS ORIGINAL!
Zed Comics Original is a place for exciting comic art featuring unique, creator-owned characters, concepts, and titles.
become a partner today with veterans creative arts
Become a partner today and let the Veterans Creative Arts work for you.
