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Virginia Veterans attend National Creative Arts Festival

james curry holds one arm up as he sings on a stage with a microphone
James Curry, an Air Force Veteran, whips up the crowd during a performance at the local competition for the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition in September 2022. Curry finished first place in the national competition three times since first entering in 2019.
By Andrew Owen, Public affairs specialist

Several Veterans representing Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) are in St. Louis attending the 42nd annual National Veterans Creative Arts Festival April 10-16. Entrants who take 1st place in their respective categories at the national level in the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition are invited to attend the yearly festival.

In September 2022, local competition winners in various categories, including visual arts, writing, and performing arts, were forwarded to compete at the national level. Three Veterans from CVCHS, Charles Marshall, Michael Grant, and James Curry, won first place nationally in their respective categories - Knotting, Original Design in Fiber Arts, and Vocal R&B/Soul/Funk, respectively. They have earned an invitation to the annual festival in St. Louis.

“I like everything about it,” said Curry of the competition. ‘It’s a great outlet for vets with [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] or PTSD problems.”

The three winners are excited about the trip to Missouri and about spending time with other winners and Veterans from across the nation. In all, over 3,000 entries were submitted to the national competition from 128 VA facilities.

“Music is healing…the people I get to meet are great,” said Curry, when asked about getting to perform and compete nationally.

According to Curry, the music category winners will spend their time in St. Louis engaged in workshops and preparing for a show they will perform at the end of the festival.

“It’s beautiful; we are going to have a ball,” he said. “I’m representing Richmond and Petersburg, and I’m going to give it all I have.”

This annual competition provides Veterans with a creative outlet and a chance to show their work on a local and national level.

“I get inspiration from competing against myself; to make myself better,” said Marshall, a Marine Veteran who has taken top honors at the national level 10 times.

The competition is open to Veterans who are eligible to receive care through the Department of Veterans Affairs and are enrolled at a VA Medical Center, Outpatient Clinic, or Vets Center before entering the local competition.

Much of this was made possible by CVHCS Recreational Therapy. Thanks to the employees who worked to coordinate the local event in September. A total of 70 Veterans participated in the 2022 competition held in Richmond.