Submissions welcome for veterans creative arts festival in Martinsville
Art has helped veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. This year's Morgan County Veterans Creative Arts Festival provides a platform for rehabilitation and support through artwork and an opportunity for veterans to meet other veterans dealing with the same issues.
Through an American Legion Auxiliary Foundation grant, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 in Bloomington is inviting local veterans and youth related to veterans to compete in the festival, according to a news release. The festival, to be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the Art Sanctuary at 190 N. Sycamore Street, Martinsville, Indiana, is open to all residents of Indiana. The event is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 230, Martinsville, but the Bloomington American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 sits on the planning committee this year.
Winners will receive financial compensation and the opportunity to enter their artwork at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which will be from May 11 to 18, 2025, in Indianapolis. The Morgan County Veterans Creative Arts Festival awards the first prize of $100, the second $50, and the third $25.
This year, the festival is open to military/veteran children and grandchildren. They can submit one piece of artwork for competition and financial compensation. Unlike for veterans, there is no opportunity for competition at the national level.
The festival is open to surrounding counties to increase awareness and participation. Organizers hope more veterans will take advantage of healing through art.
Applications are available through the American Legion Post 230 in Martinsville, Post 18 in Bloomington, the Morgan County Veteran Service Office, Monroe County Service Office, as well as through the Event Coordinator Dani Fluhr at 317-319-7998 or by email at [email protected]. Contestants must show proof of military/veteran service. Children must show proof of relation to a military/veteran. The artwork drop-off is between 10 a.m. Aug. 3 to 2 p.m. Aug. 8.
Donations are needed to support future events. Anyone wishing to make a financial contribution, can send a check to the ALA Unit 18, c/o Creative Arts, 1800 W. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47404. Checks can be written to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 with “Creative Arts Morgan County” in the memo line.
Unit 18 is also seeking contributions to help host the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Indiana is raising funds for the Hospitality Room for Veterans, a place where veterans can relax and enjoy a snack and a beverage while they rest between rehearsals, art lessons, and competitions. Help make these veterans’ experiences memorable by donating funds to the American Legion Auxiliary with “2025 Creative Arts Hospitality Room” in the memo line.
The American Legion Auxiliary is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. The organization provides support for veterans, military members, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace, and security. The Auxiliary also provides patriotic programs to educate youth and the community.
“It is our job to care for those who gave us the right to freedom,” said member past creative arts chairman Stephanie Ayers.
“The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces make sacrifices daily to ensure that Americans continue to enjoy the freedoms we hold dear. This event is just one of the ways that we can honor veterans, military, and their families,” said past District 7 president Jenny Tracy. “We are grateful that Unit 230 in Martinsville began this journey and that now other units within District 7 can join in and support our local veterans.”
The American Legion Auxiliary, founded in 1919, is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. ALA members assist veterans in hospitals, advocate for veteran issues, support therapeutic creative arts festivals, distribute poppies for remembrance, and much more. In addition to serving the military community, the American Legion Auxiliary hosts ALA Girls Nation and the ALA Girls State programs that teach future leaders about government and civic responsibility. Learn more at www.ALAforVeterans.org and @ALAforVeterans on Instagram and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Submissions welcome for Morgan Co. veterans creative arts festival
