Veterans Get Opportunity to Highlight the Arts During National Exhibition

Nearly 100 Veterans will be honored April 20-25 for their artistic abilities during the 41st annual National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, returning in person for the first time since 2019.

Presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and American Legion Auxiliary, the four-day festival recognizes the progress and recovery veterans have achieved through therapy and raises the visibility of the creative triumphs of America’s veterans.

The 2022 festival is a culmination of the fine arts competition where a panel of judges reviewed more than 3,600 submissions from veterans receiving care at 118 VA facilities.

Any veteran who is enrolled for VA healthcare was able to submit art, creative writing, dance, drama and music entries for the competition held at VA facilities across the country.

Select gold medal winners whose entries reached the national level, were invited to the festival, which includes workshops, artist interactions, a gallery-style art showcase and a grand finale stage show.

Creative arts and music therapists at VA medical facilities nationwide use the arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help veterans recover and cope with physical and emotional disabilities.