National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and Competition

The VA welcomed veterans to a small gathering and awarded certificates in recognition of their participation in the 2019 Bedford Competition of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival and Competition.

The event took place on Friday December 6th at 1:30 in the Bedford Library, building 10.

The gathering was hosted by Nadene E. Stillings Outpatient Recreation Coordinator and the veterans were greeted by the Director Joan Clifford.

This past February veterans served by the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass submitted Creative Writing, Visual Arts, and/or Performance Pieces to be reviewed by community judges. This year, the local NVCAF had 100 entries across 3 divisions, 3 of which won gold place in the National Competition!

Paul Morceau of Post 26 American Legion in Charlestown was surprised to learn that his painting had earned third place in a popular vote of attendees of the 2019 Massachusetts Convention of the Elks that took place this past June. The convention exhibited art works created by veterans from all over Massachusetts. Roger Doherty of the Elks submitted 15 works from the Bedford Va.

Margaret Klessens who was born and raised in Charlestown is a World War II veteran and very active in the VA’s art program at the Bedford VA.