Veterans Heal Through Art
Veterans have said how this creative arts program makes it easier to open up, affords an opportunity to talk to others with similar issues, and helps to generate conversations while also educating others.
Every year the Orlando VA Healthcare System hosts a Veterans Creative Arts Festival to support our Veterans through the healing arts. This fantastic program utilizes many mediums of creative arts including drama, music, visual arts, performing arts, creative writing and photography. Winning submissions from Orlando are then sent to the VA’s National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
If you are at the Lake Nona VA, please be sure to visit the artwork by our area Veterans. Posters of the creative projects are posted on the windows, located on the first floor of the Lake Nona VA, past the Canteen area. The displayed artwork is just a small portion of the talent that is available in the Orlando areas. Many of the Veterans have shared how this program has been helpful to them.
Veterans have reported how this creative arts program makes it easier to open up, affords an opportunity to talk with others with similar issues, and helps to generate conversations while also educating others. The Orlando VA’s support of this program instills hope and faith for a better future, improves quality of life, brings a spirit of belonging, transports our Veterans to a clear, colorful, peaceful place and empowers us all for positive change.
This year the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will be hosting the National Creative Arts Festival in April of 2022. This local and national collaboration promotes comradery, empowerment, and inspiration for all. Using creative mediums, Veterans can express positive emotion, have an outlet for creative endeavors, and promote positive change. This event comes from a place of hope and healing.
For more information on how you can submit your art for next year’s festival or volunteer for the program, please contact our Recreational Therapy department at 407-631-7110.