November 4, 2008

Highlights of the 2008 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

Although they've headed home, their cheerful spirits linger.

The bright, smiling, happy faces of this year's National Veterans Creative Arts Festival participants - 115 in all - were contagious indeed.  April Goodwin, (left) who won multiple medals in gold, silver and bronze on a variety of divisions says, "The Festival is a great way of expressing what the process of creating really is... being involved helps me remember that I am not the only person who sees beauty in many different ways."

This year's Festival winners were treated to an extra helping of grateful appreciation for their service to our nation, as HHV opened its doors on Thursday, October 23 for an "open house" tour.  Next, they were treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner, followed by a live stage performance of Re-Creation, USA.  "HHV staff prepared for the veterans' arrival excitedly for several weeks," said Mike Lynch, Executive Director.  "They don't often get to see how their hard work pays off.  This event gave them a chance to meet so many veterans that have directly benefited from accomplishing kits produced here at HHV's headquarters.  And I'd call winning the GOLD quite an accomplishment!"

"Creative arts are a great form of therapy and sometimes better than any medication." - Jacqueline Bowens, (right) Gold Medal winner with her "Get Out of the Box" String Art kit.

The Festival's grand finale stage show, held at the Riverside Convention Center, took place on Sunday, October 26 following a visual arts display in the afternoon.  The performances were of "Hollywood" quality with many entertaining songs, dances, dramatic prose and hilarious sketches - all performed by veterans who had competed with other veterans across the nation to become the winners and thus, invited to perform at the Festival.

James Braun, (left and below) Gold Medal winner for his Plastic Model Building Kit "1940 Ford and Truck" said, "This is my first entry to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.  Attending the event inspires me to work even harder at my artistic projects."

HHV sends its congratulations to all the veterans who worked so hard to achieve their goals of winning.  HHV thanks its donors for their loyal support, and its employees for their willingness to help with pre-Festival events.  HHV is also grateful to Allie's Party Equipment Rental of Temecula for their generous sponsorship toward the open house event.  Allie's gave HHV a rental cost break on a tent large enough to accommodate over 400 guests at its open house.

For more information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival including next year's event location and details click here.