CAS3
09-16-03, 01:08 PM
Veterans Showcase Talent at National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
WASHINGTON (Sept. 16, 2003) - Veterans from across the country will be in
Oklahoma City, Oct. 6-12, for the 2003 National Veterans Creative Arts
Festival. The festival is the culmination of a year-long fine arts
competition open to all veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) medical facilities.
"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival demonstrates that healing goes
well beyond a person's physical recovery. Creative arts therapy plays an
important role in the rehabilitation of the mind as well as the spirit,"
said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
"VA is proud to give veterans the opportunity to develop their artistic
talents, while improving their overall health and well-being," Principi
said. "Helping them live rich, fulfilling and meaningful lives after trauma
or disease is what this Festival is all about."
At the 2003 Festival, more than 120 talented veterans, first-place winners
selected from nearly 3,000 competitors nationwide, will be in Oklahoma City
for a week of workshops and rehearsals. The week will culminate on Sunday,
Oct. 12, with a stage show and art exhibit at the Rose State College
Performing Arts Center in Midwest City, Okla.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the music, drama and dance performers will showcase
their talent at the stage show, accompanied by a professional orchestra.
Artists will exhibit their work in the lobby of the Rose State College
Performing Arts Center after the stage show.
The festival is co-sponsored by VA, the American Legion Auxiliary and Help
Hospitalized Veterans. This year it is hosted by the Oklahoma City VA
Medical Center.
For further information, contact Kim Byers, public affairs coordinator for
the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, at (734) 761-7824 or visit
www.va.gov/vetevent/caf/2003.
WASHINGTON (Sept. 16, 2003) - Veterans from across the country will be in
Oklahoma City, Oct. 6-12, for the 2003 National Veterans Creative Arts
Festival. The festival is the culmination of a year-long fine arts
competition open to all veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) medical facilities.
"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival demonstrates that healing goes
well beyond a person's physical recovery. Creative arts therapy plays an
important role in the rehabilitation of the mind as well as the spirit,"
said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
"VA is proud to give veterans the opportunity to develop their artistic
talents, while improving their overall health and well-being," Principi
said. "Helping them live rich, fulfilling and meaningful lives after trauma
or disease is what this Festival is all about."
At the 2003 Festival, more than 120 talented veterans, first-place winners
selected from nearly 3,000 competitors nationwide, will be in Oklahoma City
for a week of workshops and rehearsals. The week will culminate on Sunday,
Oct. 12, with a stage show and art exhibit at the Rose State College
Performing Arts Center in Midwest City, Okla.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the music, drama and dance performers will showcase
their talent at the stage show, accompanied by a professional orchestra.
Artists will exhibit their work in the lobby of the Rose State College
Performing Arts Center after the stage show.
The festival is co-sponsored by VA, the American Legion Auxiliary and Help
Hospitalized Veterans. This year it is hosted by the Oklahoma City VA
Medical Center.
For further information, contact Kim Byers, public affairs coordinator for
the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, at (734) 761-7824 or visit
www.va.gov/vetevent/caf/2003.