Veterans Creative Art Festival

Local Veterans Compete for Chance to attend National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

Artwork by local Veterans will be on display to the public at Arts for Lawrence on August 25th from Noon-5:00pm, with Performance and Awards Ceremony beginning at 3:30pm. It is estimated that over 75 pieces of art, music, drama and writing will be showcased. VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into their therapy programs to further both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. This annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through creative arts therapies and raises the visibility of the creative
achievements of our Nation’s Veterans.

Finalists will advance to the national level where they will compete with entries submitted by Veterans from other VA facilities from across the country. The competition is an annual event that provides Veterans receiving treatment at VA facilities the opportunity to participate in creative self-expression in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music as part of their therapy, and to gain recognition for these artistic accomplishments.

First-place winners from the national competition will be invited to attend the 43rd National Veterans Creative Arts Festival held in Denver, Colorado in Spring of 2024.

The 2023 Local Veterans Creative Arts Festival is hosted by Arts for Lawrence in partnership with the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Recreation and Creative Arts Therapies Team and the City of Lawrence.