Categories: Archived Blogs

Military Connection: Veteran Art Festival: By Debbie Gregory

This week, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is hosting the 2014 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Over 100 creative Veterans from across the country and all branches of service have been selected to display their talents for the event.

The 2014 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is being presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the American Legion Auxiliary. The festival is intended to showcase the artistic talents and achievements of Veterans in art, dance, drama, music and creative writing. For the festival, contests were held among VA medical facility patients. The winners of these competitions were all invited to participate in workshops, rehearsals, and collaborative sessions that culminates with the exhibits and a stage show at the festival.

VA medical facilities integrate creative arts into many of their recreation therapy programs. An annual competition in various art forms recognizes the progress and recovery made through therapy, and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our nation’s Veterans after disease, disability or life crisis.

Over 3,500 Veterans participated in regional competitions in 53 different categories, which resulted in the selection of national winners. From the collection of winners, approximately 120 Veterans were selected to be showcased in the 2014 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

The festival runs now through Sunday, November 2^nd The art exhibit runs each day of the event from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM, with the stage show starting at 2:00 PM. The event is being held at the Milwaukee Theatre located at 500 West Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203.

Admission to the event is free, but tickets are required for the stage show. Anyone interested in attending the show must call (414) 389-4099 for complimentary tickets.

Veterans and fine art lovers near the Milwaukee area should head down to the 2014 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival this weekend and take in the creativity and culture of Veteran artists.

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