VetACon board members
Bill Richards - Founder/CEO
Bill Richards is a U.S. Army Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran, musician, artist, photographer, martial arts instructor, and founder of VetACon (Veterans Creative Arts). His creative journey began in the mid-1970s when he started playing the banjo at age 9, followed by guitar at age 11. Throughout high school he earned numerous awards in both music and visual arts before attending Western Kentucky University to study advanced art. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1989, Bill served with Charlie Company, 724th Maintenance Battalion, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), deploying during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Radio Repair Specialist. Following military service, Bill performed with bands throughout the United States, sold artwork internationally, taught Tang Soo Do martial arts, and founded VetACon Karaoke, which has provided professional entertainment services for over 30 years across Kentucky and Michigan. His passion for helping fellow veterans inspired the creation of VetACon in 2018, a peer-to-peer veterans organization that connects veterans with other veterans skilled in creative arts, helping them discover purpose, confidence, and community through music, art, photography, videography, writing, martial arts, and other creative disciplines. Today Bill continues to perform, teach, create digital artwork, photograph events, design websites, produce videos, and advocate for veterans throughout Michigan.
Career Highlights
Military Service
U.S. Army Veteran (1989–1992)
- Deployed during Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm
Charlie Company, 724th Maintenance Battalion - 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
Creative Arts
- Musician since age 9
- Professional performer throughout the United States
- Internationally recognized artist
- Award-winning photographer
- Website designer
- Digital artist
- Professional videographer
VetACon
- Founder & CEO of VetACon
- Founded VetACon Karaoke in 1995
- Founded Veterans Creative Arts (VetACon) in 2018
- Veteran peer-to-peer creative arts mentor
- Instructor in music, art, and creative development
Selected Awards & Recognition
- Honorable Kentucky Colonel (1991)
- Honorable Kentucky Colonel (2021)
- Gold Medal Finalist – National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (2016) and (2018)
- Veteran of Influence – City of Grand Rapids (2017)
- 40+ Blue Ribbons and 25+ Red Ribbons in Fine Arts Competition (2006–2012)
- MVE-Lab Finalist for VetACon (2018)
- Veteran of the Day – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veteran of the Year – Wayland VFW (2025)
- First Place – Michigan Eagles State Talent Contest (2026)
Recent Highlights
- Veteran artist in ArtPrize / Art for Honor
- Interviewed by WZZM 13
- Guitar Center Lessons Lead Manager & Instructor
- Music instructor for Scott's Music
- Art instructor at O'Flynn's Art Gallery
- Regular performer throughout Michigan
- Continuing to expand VetACon's mission of serving veterans through creative arts
Follow Bill On Social Media Facebook
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.
