LANSING, Mich. — What: The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage show and art and writing exhibitions that are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for veterans treated in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system. The event is co-presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Why: Nationwide, 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. Across the country each year, veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in a local creative arts competition, culminating in the national event.
Who: Approximately 148 veterans, representing all branches of U.S. military service, will exhibit their artwork, share their original written work, or perform musical dance or dramatic selections in a stage show. Local artists from Kalamazoo are also participating in the Festival. Additionally, veterans’ caregivers will enjoy special programming throughout the week geared specifically toward them.
When: October 28 – November 3, 2019
Sunday, November 3 – VETERAN ART AND WRITING EXHIBITION AND STAGE SHOW PERFORMANCE
The creative writers and visual artists are available to discuss their art on display in a gallery style exhibit.
Time/location: Noon to 1:45 p.m. at Western Michigan University Miller Auditorium, 2200 Auditorium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI
The stage show is emceed by country music singer Michael Peterson, who frequently performs in Branson, Mo.
Time/location: 2-5 p.m. at Western Michigan University Miller Auditorium, 2200 Auditorium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI
(The art and writing exhibition and stage show performance events are free and open to the public)
For more information on the 2019 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org/NVCAF or www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival.
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