Veterans Artwork to Be Exhibited at US Capitol
WASHINGTON – Sixteen pieces of award-winning artwork by veterans will be on display in the rotunda of Russell Senate Office Building May 7 – 11. The exhibit, which is open to the public, is in conjunction with the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival—an annual art competition held by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help injured veterans’ rehabilitate.
“The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival provides an artistic channel for our nation’s heroes to recover both physically and emotionally,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “We are proud to bring these select pieces to our nation’s capital as a testament to veterans and the therapeutic work that goes on in VA medical centers each day.”
This exhibit is made possible by the sponsorship of Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Sen. Larry Craig, ranking member, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Each year, veterans treated at VA medical centers across the country compete in a local creative arts contest that includes visual art, creative writing, dance, drama and music. Selected winners are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, a week-long event that highlights the talents of the national medal-winning veterans through exhibition of their visual artwork and presentation of a live stage show performance. The 2007 national festival will take place in St. Louis, Mo. October 22 –28.
The 16 pieces that comprise the exhibit on display at the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building were chosen from nearly 150 first place-winning entries from 2004, 2005 and 2006 National Veterans Creative Arts competitions.
The Festival is presented each year by VA, and cosponsored by Help Hospitalized Veterans and the American Legion Auxiliary.
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For further information about the Capitol Hill Art Exhibit, contact Jeanne Miserendino, VA public affairs at 202-273-9372.
For more information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, contact Elizabeth Mackey, National Veterans Creative Arts Festival director, at 320-255-6351 or log on to the festival’s Web site: www.va.gov/vetevent/caf/2007/default.cfm
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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