Phoenix VA Hosts 20th Annual Creative Arts Festival, Honoring Veteran Creativity and Healing

The annual celebration showcased the creative talents of enrolled Veterans and highlighted the therapeutic impact of the arts in healing and recovery in Phoenix VA’s Recreation Therapy Clinic. The free event brought together Veterans, staff and community members to experience a wide range of artistic expressions that included visual art exhibitions, live music, dance, drama, and creative writing performances. 

The festival’s purpose is to provide Veterans with a welcoming space to share their work, be acknowledged for their talents and build community through creativity.

This year’s event featured 143 submitted artworks from 116 Veteran participants. Categories included 2D and 3D visual art; poetry and prose creative writing; music, dance and drama performance; and a best-in-show category. Veterans, VA employees and guests were invited to cast votes for their favorite pieces during the event.

A highlight of the program was the unveiling of the “Heal Her Art Community” mural, a collaborative project created by 56 local women Veterans. The group was recognized during the official program for their contribution and dedication to the mural’s message of unity and healing.

Deputy Medical Center Director Michael Welsh gave opening remarks and spoke about the importance of honoring Veterans’ creative expression. “Every year, I’m so inspired by your art,” Welsh said. “So many pieces speak to me, and I love that part of this festival because it’s not only therapeutic—it’s creative, and it’s beautiful. I also appreciate how many of the works reflect what Veterans have seen or experienced in the military. It’s powerful.”

Phoenix VA Creative Arts Therapist Kristin Garnaat said the event continues to grow in both scale and impact. “We see firsthand how creative arts help Veterans process experiences, build confidence and discover new strengths,” Garnaat said. “This festival is a celebration of their hard work, courage and artistic expression. She also noted that guests could view paintings, sculptures, multimedia pieces, and enjoy performances that truly showed the depth of Veterans’ talent.”

Winners of this year’s festival included: 
Best in Show: 
David Chavez - Meep Meep

2 D Art:
1st Place: Carolyn Jackson – Floating Space Cactus
2nd Place: Felix Fortuna – Desert Guardian at Sunset
3rd Place: Richard Sandoval – Dedicated to Veterans

3D Art: 
1st Place – Courtney Smythe – All the Pieces of Me
2nd Place – Michael Groff - Battle of Hampton Roads
3rd Place – Tie: Jean Bressan – Garden of Memories and Johnny Tollison – Eagle USA

Performance Art: 
1st Place John Burns – American Woman Soldier
2nd Place Led Veterans – Fulsom Prison Blues
3rd Place Gwendolyn Jones Cooks What I really Meant to Say

Poetry: 
1st Place: Gwendolyn Jones Cooks – In the Mirror
2nd Place – Michelle Brandfass: Everything all at Once
3rd Place Darren Skousen – The Son

Prose:
1st Place Nicole Castro - A Significant Thought
2nd Place Santiago Bravo – My Fight
3rd Place Albert Quihuis – The boy who could read Petroglyphs: The Guardian

Participants shared how meaningful the festival has become in their lives. 
U.S. Navy Veteran Daniel Combs, who has contributed to the festival since 2020, said art has played an essential role in his well‑being. “Being active in the Creative Arts program is great for Veterans,” Combs said. “Art stimulates the brain and nervous system, supports emotional healing and even helps curb mental decline. It’s been a powerful tool for me.”

U.S. Navy Veteran Silvia Espinoza said the Recreational Therapy group empowered her to explore creativity in new ways. “Recreational Therapy encouraged me to try art on my own, and when I heard about the festival, I decided to participate,” she said. “I encourage other Veterans to submit something—even if you think you’re not good. There is always someone who will connect with your art. Every piece I saw awakened something in me.”

Espinoza also commented on how participating in art projects has helped her and comrades heal. “In the process of creating art, we are helping ourselves therapeutically, we are exploring ways to calm ourselves. I know some of us have been in combat and art is a great way to help us relieve some of that stress and trauma.” 

The American Legion Auxiliary, a longstanding community partner, expressed pride in supporting the milestone event. “The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to honor the sacrifice of those who served,” said Vice President of American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona, Marge Christianson. “The Department of Arizona American Legion Auxiliary and its members are proud to work closely with the Arizona VA medical staff to bring that mission to life—through art wellness, social events, annual gift shops as well as many other volunteer activities.” 

Creative Arts Therapist Timothy Mcalee emphasized how the arts contribute to whole‑health care. “Creative Arts therapies promote expression and foster emotional, physical and cognitive well-being that support Whole Health initiatives within the VA,” said Mcalee. “Programs including Recreation Therapy and Music Therapy create a community for Veterans to learn new coping skills, increase social engagement and provide healthy outlets for emotional and creative expression. Art groups, journaling and music groups can help Veterans to identify what matters most to them.” 

Veterans enrolled in the Phoenix VA can participate annually in the National Veteran Creative Arts Festival Competition. Registration for the next national competition runs from Feb. 1 through March 14, 2027. Details and rules are available at: https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/.

To view photos from this year's event, go here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pvahcs/albums/72177720333669318/.