Las Vegas hosts 2nd Annual Southern Nevada Veterans Creative Arts Competition Sept. 18

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, in partnership with the City of Las Vegas Department of Cultural Affairs and American Legion Auxillary Unit 76, will co-host the second annual Southern Nevada Veterans Creative Arts Competition September 18. This will be held at the Charleston Heights Arts Center on 800 Brush Street in Las Vegas. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and registration will be open until 9:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 10 and awards presentation will follow at 11:15 a.m.

The event, which will celebrate and showcase the works of local artists and musicians, is open to Veterans treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system; and entrants can compete in more than 130 categories including art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music. Veterans may exhibit their artwork and original writings or perform musical, dance or dramatic selections in a live stage show performance. A comprehensive list of categories and guidelines can be found at https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/

VASNHS is encouraging Veterans enrolled in VA health care locally to participate. Entrants must be enrolled to receive care at a VA medical facility before entering a local competition. Veterans are only permitted to enter through one VA facility competition each year, and only one entry is allowed per category. Veterans may submit entries for up to three different categories.

Veterans may register the day of the event but must submit their work before 9:30 a.m. to be eligible for judging. Winners will be eligible to compete in the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival against Veterans from other VA medical facilities across the nation.

Veterans who are interested in participating and have questions may contact John Archiquette at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, via email at vhalaspao@va.gov.

About the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Across the country each year, Veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in local creative arts competitions. The competition includes categories in the visual arts division that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are categories in writing as well as the performing arts of dance, drama, and music. 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.

About the City of Las Vegas Department of Cultural Affairs
The performing and visual arts are a thriving and essential part of our community. The City of Las Vegas Department of Cultural Affairs work with the local arts community to create a more livable and vibrant city by delivering experiences, education and services to residents and visitors. For more information, visit: https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Residents/Arts-Culture

John Archiquette, Public Affairs Specialist

702-791-9004