How It Began
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival originated as two separate competitions. Muriel Barbour, then chief of recreation therapy at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va., created the visual arts competition, VET ARTS, in 1981, as an observance of the International Year of Disabled Persons. Shirley Jefferies, a recreation therapist at the Waco, Texas, VA Medical Center, initiated the performing arts competition, The National Music Competition for Veterans, in 1981. The premier live winners’ stage show was held in 1981 at the VA Medical Center in Tuskegee, Ala. The second show was staged in 1982 at the Coatesville, Pa., VA Medical Center.
The Music Festival and VET ARTS merged and drama and dance divisions were added, to create the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in 1989.
Auxiliary Involvement
Since 2000 the Auxiliary has played a key role in NVCAF as one of three $100,000 cosponsors of the event, along with Department of Veterans Affairs and Help Hospitalized Veterans. In addition to raising funds, Auxiliary Departments also provide volunteers who assist with everything from punching meal tickets to stuffing programs to ironing costumes for the stage show. Best of all, Auxiliary members have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with the veterans who participate.
ALA Member Malene Asi Bailey
2009 NVCAF Participant
Malene is a four-year Air Force veteran living in Parkville, Md. She is also now a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 22 in Towson, Md. At the 2009 NVCAF, she became fast friends with then-ALA National Vice President Carlene Ashworth, who recalls, “When I first met Malene, she was very shy. But when she dances she is in her own world. She just gives in to it. You can see the passion. She has great aspirations to use the GI Bill to go to college and major in dance and music. I hope she’ll be able to fulfill that part of her career and dream.”
NVCAF Participants Share
I began writing after I returned from my tour of duty in Iraq. Once I get my thoughts, emotions, and feelings on paper, I can begin to control them rather than them controlling me.
—Penny, Army Veteran from Arkansas
Participating in the creative arts increases my feelings of satisfaction and self-esteem. NVCAF has given my life new meaning and is a positive change. Music relieves stress and anxiety and lifts my spirits.
—Walter, Army Veteran from Illinois
Auxiliary Members Speak Out
Working at the festival tugs the heartstrings. The time and money our members dedicate to this extraordinary event changes the lives not only of the veterans who participate, but their family members, counselors, and themselves.
—Kris Nelson, 2009-10 Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation National Chairman
I can think of no better way to serve our veterans than to be a sponsor of this program. I only wish every member could go some day and volunteer.
—Carol Johnson, Department of New York