What kind of art do you do? Veteran artwork sought for show, national recognition


What kind of art do you do? Veteran artwork sought for show, national recognition

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We know our Wyoming Veterans are creative... and that's why we want more of you to get national recognition for that art, just like Wyoming Veteran Deb Zelenak.


Each year, the Sheridan VA Health Care System co-hosts a local art competition with the American Legion Auxiliary for Veterans in more than 100 categories in five divisions. These


divisions—art, creative writing, dance, drama and music—cover a broad range of categories to appeal to a wide spectrum of interests. This includes areas like woodworking, jewelry, metal


work, leather work, ballroom dancing, hip-hop dancing, vocal solo, instrumental, and MUCH more. 


Last year, local Veteran Deb Zelenak earned top honors in the Needlework and Fabric Art Kit categories. After the local competition, we then submitted her art to a national review board,


along with all the other Veterans who won first place in their categories. Her art was selected to be shown at the National Creative Arts Festival in St. Louis, also co-hosted by the


American Legion Auxiliary. 


What did that mean for Deb? A weeklong trip to take part in the national festival in St. Louis, which included airfare, accommodations, food and many activities... like a trip to the


National Blues Museum, captured in this short video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrB7CERJ2_U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link The next national festival will be in the spring of 2024 in Denver.


Deadline is September 1. We need to receive it by this date for our local judging, in order to be considered for the national art submissions. Entries can include any work done within the


last year, so Veterans who already have a creative product that meets the requirements of a category are welcome to submit.


Information on each division is available at https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/ --the local and national competition have the same


requirements.