2011 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, AR is proud to host the 2011 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. More than 130 talented Veterans from across the U.S. will be in Northwest Arkansas to showcase their talents at the 2011 Festival. On Sunday October 23 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. there will be an art exhibit at the Walton Arts Center showcasing the winning pieces from this year's competition. At 2 p.m. the stage show gala, backed by a professional orchestra, and Michael Peterson a grammy award winning country music artist will be the master of ceremonies. For free tickets call 479-444-4064 or visit www.fayettevillear.va.gov.
What: Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) is proud to host the 2011 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. This exciting event is the culmination of a yearlong fine arts and performing arts competition that will showcase the talent of more than 115 Veterans from across the nation.
When: October 17 – 23
Where: Embassy Suites Hotel & John Q. Hammons Convention Center
3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway
Rogers, Ark.
Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks
1100 N. College Avenue
Fayetteville, Ark.
Walton Arts Center
495 West Dickson Street
Fayetteville, Ark.
Background: Nationwide, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities use the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. Across the country each year, Veterans treated at VA facilities compete in a local creative arts competition. This competition includes more than 53 art categories that range from oil painting to leatherwork and even paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 120 categories pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. The creative writing division is a more recent addition to the competition and includes original works in poetry, essay, short story, and personal experience writing. A national selection committee chooses first, second and third place winners among all of the entries. Select winners are then invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival each year.
