DES MOINES, Iowa- Des Moines is hosting a national Veterans creative arts festival this week. Coordinator Suzanne Anderson (of the VA-Central Iowa Health Care) says it includes work by veterans who find the arts to be therapeutic, and to help them overcome problems they may be dealing with, including mental health, addiction, and physical disabilities.
She says the art is on display this (Monday) afternoon at the Capital Square Atrium, downtown. Veterans will also participate in workshops.
Sunday afternoon the veterans will showcase the performing arts at Hoyt Sherman Theater in Des Moines. She says nationally ranked Veteran vocalists and musicians will perform. Tickets are free.
Anderson says there are 53 categories of artwork, and she says it's the sort of thing you'd see in a gallery.
"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is an opportunity for the American Legion Auxiliary to serve our heroes by helping to provide an annual event in which veterans can express themselves in different forums of creativity,” said American Legion Auxiliary National President Kathy Dungan. “Helping veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities through this event is part of the Auxiliary’s overall mission of serving veterans, military, and their families.”
“To be part of this event is extremely rewarding for our organization and its purpose is at the core of all we do,” Dungan said. “Through this partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Auxiliary is looking forward to providing this unique opportunity for our veterans across the country this year and for years to come.”