5 National Creative Arts Winners

U.S. Army Veteran Krystal Anspach was selected as a first-place winner in the 2023 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition, Art Division. Krystal took first-place for her Diorama, Mini She Shed. She served in Army as a Combat Medical for 10 years. 

“I am so honored and humbled that my project was given this award. I am proud that others see the hours of meticulous work I put into it,” Krystal said “This is my third year entering and my first with this type of project. It’s amazing to see the creativity of the Veterans here in our area but nationally as well.”

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Lori Ceder was also selected as a first-place winner in the Art Division under two categories. Lori took first-place for her Original Design in Needlework, Illusion of Movement, and for her Leather Kit, Retro Classic. 

“Winning 1st place is more exciting than I expected it to be! I am blessed to be able to participate in the many creative outlets that the Butler VA provides,” shared Lori. 

Lori also encourages other Veterans to check out the creative outlets the VA offers: “Give art a chance, and don’t be too critical of yourself. Others will see your potential, even when you don’t see it.”

U.S. Air Force Veteran Terrance (Terry) Blair took first-place for the second year in a row with a Figurine Painting Kit entry, Hometown News. 

“It still amazes me that I won once, let alone twice. It is a rewarding feeling,” said Terry. “It is also fantastic that the VA has an avenue to display and share our work.”

Rounding out the local first place winners is U.S. Marine Corps Veteran William Howrilla. He took first place in the Art Division for his carving, Special Friends Deserve Special Care. 

“I am really honored. I also think all Veterans should enter! A lot of Veterans have creative abilities, and you have to use them and share them,” said William. 

Local Veterans were also selected for second-place and third-place recognitions. Veterans Allan Cochenour and Charles Jennings took second place in the Art Division and Veteran Lindsey Anderson took third place in the Music Division.

Co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is the culmination of VA facility competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for Veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs national health care system. Veterans exhibit their artwork and original writings or perform musical, dance or dramatic selections in a live stage show performance. All Veterans invited to participate are selected winners of a national creative arts competition in which thousands of Veterans enter from VA medical facilities across the nation.

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.

The first-place winners are invited to attend the national festival hosted in Denver, Colorado, May 11-18, 2024. Please join us in congratulating these fine artists for their amazing talents and accomplishments!  For more information on the Veterans Creative Arts visit: www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov.  

For information on Butler VA Veteran Creative Arts classes and workshops, please contact the Veterans Creative Arts Festival Coordinator, Karen Dunn, 878-271-6484.