(1/30/12) The annual competition will showcase the artwork of Veterans being treated by the Tomah VA in visual and performing arts. The Veteran artwork will be on public display in building 407, room 1724, Feb. 14-16. The local performing arts competition will be held at 9 a.m., in the VA chapel on Feb. 16.
The art entries will be judged on Feb. 13, for creativity skill, originality and total presentation. The works of all local first place winners in all categories will be sent on for the second phase of judging via digital images and video with winners hoping to secure an invitation to the national festival in Boston in October.
The Creative Arts Festival includes 53 categories in the visual arts division ranging from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. There are also 120 categories in the performing arts involving all aspects of music, dance, drama, and creative writing.
Nationwide, Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities use creative arts in rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. The Creative Art Festival provides Veterans the opportunity to display their artist ventures and talents through a multitude of mediums.
To qualify for entry, Veterans summiting work must have created their art after April 1, 2011, and be enrolled in a VA medical center, outpatient clinic or state Veteran’s home. The entry deadline is Feb. 9.
For more information about the competition, contact Jean Calhoun at 608-372-1262 608-372-1262.
Media interested in covering this event, please contact the Tomah VA public affairs office at 608-372-7759 608-372-7759 or by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Tomah VA Medical Center will host the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival local competition on its Tomah campus during the National Salute to Veteran Patients week Feb. 12-18.
