NF/SGVHS Veterans Connect Through Creativity During Creative Arts Festival
By William-Joseph Mojica, Office of Communication and Outreach, Chief
Gainesville, Fla. – The North Florida/South Florida Veterans Health System hosted its Annual Creative Arts Competition, an integral part of a rehabilitative treatment program designed to assist Veterans in achieving their rehabilitation goals while overcoming physical and emotional challenges.
This year, an impressive total of 74 entries were submitted by Veterans under the care of NF/SGVHS, showcasing the remarkable artistic talents of our Veterans across a diverse array of visual arts categories. The competition featured five divisions: art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music, each with multiple categories that highlighted the varied creative abilities of the participants.
The top three finalists in each category will advance to the National Creative Arts Competition later this fall, with national winners set to be announced in early 2026. NF/SGVHS is particularly proud to have 63 submissions representing our Veterans competing at the national level this year.
Diane Langston, a staff creative arts therapist specializing in music at the medical center and this year’s organizer of the NF/SGVHS Creative Arts Competition, regarded this year’s event as a significant success, marking the first time NF/SGVHS Veterans have been represented across all five divisions. This achievement underscores the importance of creative expression in the healing journey of our Veterans.
“It is truly amazing to see the creativity of the Veterans within our community,” Langston said. “As clinicians, we often get so caught up in the treatment that we do not get to see what that looks like for the Veterans after they receive formalized care. The art, writings, drama, music, and dance, allow us to see these folks beyond the state of surviving -- they are thriving!”
NF/SGVHS provides an extensive array of services designed to enhance the well-being of its patients, encompassing mental health support, primary and specialty care, as well as various social programs. One notable event is the local creative arts competition, where top entries progress to a national judging stage, culminating in the selection of first, second, and third place winners at the national level. The first-place winning Veterans are granted the honor of attending the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which is hosted by a different VA facility each year.
About the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival represents the pinnacle of VA facility competitions in a variety of disciplines, including art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music, specifically for Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. At this festival, Veterans showcase their gold medal-winning artwork, original writings, and perform captivating pieces in music, dance, or drama. All participating Veterans have achieved gold medal status in a national creative arts competition that attracts thousands of entries from VA medical facilities nationwide. This event not only highlights the talents of Veterans but also celebrates their creativity and resilience.
For more information on NF/SGVHS, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/.