VA Black Hills Health Care System (VA BHHCS) is seeking entries for their annual creative arts competition. This is an exciting opportunity for Veterans to demonstrate their skills in visual arts, creative writing, and performing arts.
Veterans enrolled at VA Black Hills Health Care System or a resident in a state Veterans home are eligible to compete. The art must have been created after April 1, 2014 with an exception for Military Combat Experience entries. All submissions must be received by the February 20th, 2015 deadline.
The public is invited to view the entries at two shows on March 13, 2015 in Building 145, Classroom 108 at the Fort Meade VA and on March 18, 2015 in the Domiciliary Auditorium at the Hot Springs VA. Both shows are from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
The competition includes 51 categories in the visual arts division that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 100 categories in the performing arts division including all aspects of music, dance, drama, and creative writing. A panel of local artists will judge entries based on creativity, skill, originality, and overall presentation. Select winners at the local level are invited to compete at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival to be held in Durham, North Carolina October 12-19, 2015.
The purpose of the National Veterans Creative Arts competition is to recognize Veterans for their creative and artistic ability and to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of the arts.
Creative art therapy is recognized by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities.
For rules and registration information, please contact Mike Ellis, Kyle Doerges, or Mary Culbertson by calling 1-877-339-6837.
