The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System is now accepting entries for the 2021 National Veterans Creative Arts competition.
CAVHS will accept entries until Sept. 1. Submissions will be exhibited on Sept. 18 at the Eugene Towbin VA Medical Center, North Little Rock, at the NVCA Festival. Preliminary events planned for the day include a live band and a cookout. Also needed are volunteers to judge the submissions as well as volunteers to serve on the day of the festival.
"The NVCA Festival is the celebration and grand finale stage and art show, which are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for veterans treated at CAVHS. This annual program promotes the healing of both body and spirit motivating Veterans to reach their full potential, improve their independence, achieve a healthier lifestyle and enjoy a higher quality of life overall. 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," said a news release from U.S. Daughters of 1812, one of the organizations that were asked to inform their memberships and their communities of the need for submissions and volunteers.
National winners are selected after a yearlong, national fine arts talent competition that thousands of veterans enter from VA medical facilities across the nation. "VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into their therapy programs to further the rehabilitation goals for both inpatients and outpatients. This annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through that therapy and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our Nation's Veterans," the release said.
Organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, co-sponsor of the nationwide event, Purple Heart, Marine Corps League, as well as other patriotic organizations such as Colonial Dames 17th Century, Daughters of the American Revolution and U.S. Daughters of 1812 were asked to inform their memberships and communities of the need for submissions and volunteers.
Email Alyssa Welch at [email protected] for more information.