Art and honor unite at lantern decorating event

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –For nine years, the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington has hosted its Floating Lantern Ceremony in January, and this year, they’ve added an exciting new element.

In collaboration with the newly-formed nonprofit Veterans Creative Arts Program, the museum invited veterans, first responders, and active military to decorate lanterns on Saturday.

This creative day provided an opportunity for participants to honor those they have lost while expressing their individuality through art.

Cameron Batanides, President of the Veterans Creative Arts Program, highlighted how the event aligns perfectly with their mission. “It impacts everyone in their own individual ways and what they need as an individual, which is why this event is so beautiful. We do work with veterans, first responders, and active military so that they can access memories, express ideas, learn techniques, and just create in whatever way that looks like to them!”

The Floating Lantern Ceremony will be held at the Cameron Art Museum’s Reflection Pond on January 5th, where the decorated lanterns will be released, illuminating the water in tribute.