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Female Army Veteran wins fist place with "Rocky Road" quilt

Army Veteran Tami Biniaz, Army Veteran quilt titled “Rocky Road
Army Veteran Tami Biniaz created a quilt titled “Rocky Road" that won first place in the the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival competition in 2023 that shows a blue bicycle next to a door with a tree.
By John Archiquette, Public Affairs Specialist

Congratulations to Army Veteran and VASNHS employee Tami Biniaz for her participation in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) in Denver last week! Biniaz, a Credentialing and Privileging Analyst, won first place in the 2023 NVCAF competition for her quilt titled “Rocky Road".

Congratulations to Army Veteran and VASNHS employee Tami Biniaz for her participation in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) in Denver last week! Biniaz, a Credentialing and Privileging Analyst, won first place in the 2023 NVCAF competition for her quilt titled “Rocky Road.

The NVCAF is the celebration of the winners of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The nationwide selection from over 130 categories includes Veteran musicians, dancers, writers, and fine artists. “The experience can’t be described in words,” Biniaz said of the event. “Every veteran should have the opportunity to experience the Art Festival.”

Participants took part in various activities over the weeklong event. Workshops included building windcatchers, bound books, sculpting, and painting in the open air at Red Rocks. They also were able to walk around the Santa Fe Arts District and talk to the artists about their journeys and art. “You start surrounded by other Veterans that you have never met, and leave surrounded by brothers, sisters, and family,” said Biniaz. “Everyone embraces each other, each of us has trauma, pain, or both. We all express ourselves with our art form, are inspired and learn from each other.” 

Veterans had their work displayed for each other and the public to see at a gallery showing to close the event. “I never imagined that so many people would admire my quilt that much,” Biniaz said. “It makes you feel like you can do something worth showing.”

“I left with more friends than I have ever had, with my cup overflowing with inspiration, with my mental health in the best state it has been in a long time and a mission to have a creative arts program at the Las Vegas VA.”

Veterans who are interested in participating in the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition must compete locally at events held at VA networks across the country. VA Southern Nevada Healthcare system will host their Southern Nevada Veterans Creative Arts Competition at the North Las Vegas VAMC, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 14, 2024. 

Please reach out to vhalaspao@va.gov for more information.