WINCHESTER, CA--(Marketwire - October 20, 2010) -  For many of the talented veterans participating in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival this year in Tomah, Wisconsin, the interest in art as therapy came about during a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital stay. VA utilizes a unique rehabilitation treatment component which often includes exposing veteran patients to a variety of creative healing opportunities.

With humble beginnings in 1981 as two separate competitions: "Vet Arts" in Richmond, Virginia and "The National Music Competition for Veterans" in Waco, Texas, the annual Festival is now a popular national event showcasing the artistic achievements of veterans from across the nation. The roughly 130 veterans invited to the Festival this year are winners of fine arts and talent competitions in which thousands of veterans have entered. The event is a celebration of achievements in art, creative writing, dance, drama and original writing with a gala variety show featuring a professional orchestra.

"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is an exciting event. The intricate, original artwork and incredible performance talent displayed is outstanding," said Mike Lynch, president and CEO of Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) an event co-sponsor. "The therapeutic benefits veterans receive from participating is highly evident. The stage show is first-class and features our nation's top veteran performers and the craftwork displayed during the art exhibit is breathtaking," said Lynch. The Festival takes place on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The art exhibit opens at 12:15 p.m. and the stage show begins at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, but a ticket is required for the stage show.

Since 1971, HHV has donated over 28 million free arts & crafts and other products and services to VA and military hospitals worldwide. For more information visit www.hhv.org or call 1-888-567-VETS.

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