May, 2026 CAVARTS Spotlight Feature #2: Theresa Adams
A United States Navy Veteran and former Air Traffic Controller, Theresa brings a lifetime of service, family tradition, and personal reflection to her creative work. Now living among the mountains—a striking contrast to her years stationed in the Southwest desert—she captures moments of memory and meaning through photography.
Her piece, Smokey Mountains, reflects a deep connection to past experiences and the power of art to refocus the mind on “better things, good times, and better places.” Through her creative journey, Theresa continues to challenge herself, build community, and find inspiration in both nature and shared experiences.
Name:
Theresa Adams
Artist Moniker:
Theresa
Branch of service:
United States Navy
About:
I served in The Navy as an Air Traffic Controller. I come from a Military family and all but one brother served in the military, he was a Police Officer. I live in the mountains of which is a big change after spending much of my service time in the Southwest desert.
Piece:
Title of Piece:
Smokey Mountains
Medium of Piece:
Photograph
Meaning Behind Piece:
Memories of past times
What inspires you to create art?:
Keeps my mind occupied on better things and good times and better places
What part of your life has benefited the most from your creative pursuits?:
All of my life has benefited from my creative pursuits and I’ve met some wonderful people in the process.
Is it important for you to challenge yourself in your art? Tell us why or why not!:
Yes it has been important to challenge myself and it has brought me some real surprises that I really wasn’t expecting.
What is your process or ritual to get your creativity flowing?:
Mostly I push myself to try thinking I’ll never know until I do, I really don’t have anything to lose.
What does CAVARTS mean to you?:
The chance to join in with a group of like minded people that started out wanting to serve their country just like I did.
Our monthly theme is Sound Minds, but Theresa submitted this earlier this year when we were celebrating Art and Soul. Here’s what she had planned:
Supporting the Community just as they support me.
What words of inspiration do you have for your fellow CAVARTists?:
Have fun here and just be yourself, we’re all here to support each other just as we did in the service.
