UNION GROVE, Wis. — A nonprofit in Wisconsin is run by veterans with the goal of impacting other veterans. The group is hoping to spark more than just creativity with their art studio.

Art can be a pretty fun outlet and for a group of veterans in Union Grove. It provides a sense of therapy and camaraderie. With each stroke of his brush, Navy veteran Timothy Mueller finds peace.

“It’s a lot of fun. It gets your mind off of things,” veteran Timothy Mueller said.

Mueller has been coming to “By Veterans For Veterans,” a hands-on art studio in Union Grove for a few months now. He said it’s turned into a nice stress reliever.

“I would say it takes my mind off of things that bother me,” Mueller said. “I can put my mind in the artwork. It helps ease the mind.”

By Veterans For Veterans is a nonprofit and was started in 2020 by Christine Luxem and her business partner Josh Christensen. Christensen is also a veteran. The pair wanted to create a space where veterans could use art to overcome obstacles in their lives.

“I hope that they come out of their shells,” Luxem said. “It’s a place that they can come to anytime. I am always here during the day or someone is always here.”

For Army veteran Jeffrey Bender, being here brings him back to his roots. He is a carpenter by trade who now lives in the veteran tiny homes in Racine. Bender said it’s a blessing to get his hands back on some tools and doing something he loves.

’’The people here can relate to what I’ve been through because they have been through the same situation. They are very easy to talk to, very helpful, insightful, and they help you to keep moving forward,” Bender said.

It’s a place that allows veterans to get together by doing something that keeps them creative and doing something with their hands. It is an outlet, a breath of fresh air and a spot where veterans can sit side by side to heal.

Those interested in stopping by or donating can visit https://byveteransforveterans.com/.