Veterans Creative Arts Showcase

If you'd like to receive updates and information about next year's Veteran's Creative Arts Showcase, please sign up for our e-mail blast list below.

The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) Veterans Creative Arts Showcase is the local presentation of Veteran artwork, writings and performances created by Veterans in the VA Maryland Health Care system. This includes an art display, creative writing readings, and a performing arts stage show. This event highlights the talents of our Veterans as well as the importance of the creative arts in the health and wellness. Entries shared at the local show may also be eligible for submission to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

The 2026 VAMHCS Veterans Creative Arts Showcase is now accepting entries. Please download and complete Entry Materials & Participant Guidelines, as well as required consent form below and return to Kelsey Eisenhauer at kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov. Paperwork may also be dropped of at the Perry Point Music Therapy Clinic in building 24H, room 013.

All entry paperwork is due no later than Wednesday, June 24th, 2026.

Due to some changes happening with the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival this year, there are some updates to our 2026 local show differing from previous years. Highlights are noted below, but please be sure to read through Participant Guidelines for all entry information and updates:

• Starting in 2027, Veterans will be eligible to submit competitive arts entries directly to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival without being required to go through local VA staff to enter. More details to come regarding this process. Due to this change there will be no national festival event taking place in 2026.
• Our 2026 local VAMHCS Showcase will be non-competitive and will showcase Veteran entries without items being judged.
• Veterans will be allowed to enter up to 3 entries in total, but may submit multiple entries in the same medium (ex. 3 acrylic paintings, 2 country songs, 3 poems).

Informational Meetings - 5/15/26; 5/28/26; 6/1/26; 6/15/26

• These are scheduled times to address questions related to the 2026 VAMHCS event.
• See links below or contact Kelsey Eisenhauer to be added at kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov

Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 - All entry paperwork due

Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 - Performance recordings (Veterans will be scheduled for a time slot)

Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 - All artwork must be dropped off to the VA. Drop-off available at all 3 primary VA locations (see entry packet for more info)

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 - 12-4PM Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for all Veterans participating in the stage show at the Showcase.

• Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd,
  Timonium, MD 21093 4H/FFA Home Arts Building
  
  

Saturday, September 12th - 11AM-4PM 2026 VAMHCS Veterans Creative Arts Local Showcase

• Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd,
  Timonium, MD 21093 4H/FFA Home Arts Building
  
  

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 - Annual Suicide Prevention Walk

• Location: Perry Point VA Medical Center - Gymnasium

Friday 5/15/26 - 12-1PM

• Meeting Link: VAMHCS Creative Arts Showcase Info Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

• Dial in by phone
  +1 872-701-0185
  Phone Conference ID: 244610321#

Thursday 5/28/26 - 2-3PM

• Meeting Link: VAMHCS Creative Arts Showcase Info Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

• Dial in by phone

  +1 872-701-0185,,
  Phone Conference ID: 232752029#

Monday 6/1/26 - 4-5PM

• Meeting Link: VAMHCS Creative Arts Showcase Info Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

• Dial in by phone

  +1 872-701-0185
  Phone Conference ID: 778853683#

Monday 6/15/26 - 4-5PM

• Meeting Link: VAMHCS Creative Arts Showcase Info Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

• Dial in by phone

  +1 872-701-0185
  Phone Conference ID: 88236106#

• First Place:
• Patricia Graves – “Break Every Chain” (Modern/Contemporary Dance)
• Ryan Davidson – “She Never Writes Anymore” (CW Non-Rhyming Poetry – General Topic)
• William Harkins – “Anyone” (Vocal Solo Pop)
• Second Place:
• Kevin Curry – “Dear God” (Vocal Rap/HipHop)
• Susan Sanborn – “Let You Go” (Music Special Recognition)
• Rachel Isgrig – “Wearing the Unholdable” (Crocheting/Knitting/Knotting)

"Wearing the Unholdable" - Rachel Isgrig

Local VAMHCS Veterans Creative Arts Competition results available to download and view below.

The VAMHCS Veterans Creative Arts Showcase is open to any Veteran enrolled for care in the VA Maryland Health Care System.

If you are not yet enrolled, you can do so here: Register For Care | VA Maryland Health Care | Veterans Affairs.

Veterans are not required to be actively receiving care in order to participate, but you must be enrolled in the system.

Showcase entries for the VAMHCS Veteran's Creative Arts Showcase are typically due in mid-summer. Dates vary each year.

The POC for the Maryland VA Veteran's Creative Arts Competition is Kelsey Eisenhauer. Contact info below. You can also use the button above to be added to the VAMHCS NVCAF e-mail list. Submission information typically becomes available around late spring.

E-mail: kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov or VAMHCSRCATS@va.gov

Phone: 410-585-4477

Entries are accepted in all different types of creative mediums including Art, Music, Dance, Drama and Creative Writing. There are no restrictions on creative ability/skill. Veterans are limited to 3 entries in total (regardless of medium), but can submit multiple entries in the same medium (ex. 2 poems, 3 acrylic paintings, etc.). Performance entries are limited to a maximum of 2 in order to ensure our stage show has enough time to showcase all Veteran performers. Please read rules for entry listed in the participant guidelines.

1. Complete 1 entry form

- including Veteran information and all entry information

2. Complete 1 consent form

3. Submit their entry piece (ex. dropping off artwork, submitting writing piece, completing a recording of performance).

Entry forms and participant guidelines can be found on this page or can be requested by contacting Kelsey Eisenhauer via e-mail at kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov.

After submission, all local entries will be gathered and then included in a local showcase. Performers will be scheduled for a performance recording prior to showcase to ensure VA staff are aware of all performance needs and to provide Veterans with a video they can choose to submit to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival at a later date.

Since 2022, the VAMHCS has held our annual local showcase in the 4H/FFA Home Arts Building at the Maryland State Fair. At the showcase, Veteran artwork will be on display, writers and performers will have the opportunity to share their works through a stage show, and Veteran participants have the opportunity to connect with showcase attendees and their fellow creative peers.

Following the showcase at the State Fairground, all Veteran artwork will be transported to the Perry Point VAMC where it will be on display for the 2026 Annual Suicide Prevention Walk. Artwork is then returned to Veteran participants following this event.

Veterans are encouraged to consider submitting local showcase entries to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival for participation in a national competition. See below for more information.

Nationwide, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities use the creative arts to help Veterans with their rehabilitation goals. This annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through that therapy and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our nation's Veterans. This event includes the opportunity to share creative works in 5 different divisions:

ART

MUSIC

DANCE

DRAMA

CREATIVE WRITING

Starting new in 2027, Veterans will be able to submit entries directly to the national competition. National entries are judged privately and first, second, and third place entries are determined at the national level. First place winning Veterans are typically invited to attend the National Veteran's Creative Arts Festival, hosted by a different VA facility each year.

Since 2022 the VAMHCS Veteran's Creative Arts Competition Showcase has been hosted by the Maryland State Fair in the 4H/FFA Home Arts Building.

Veteran artwork is typically on display to the public throughout the duration of the fair, but one day is chosen to serve as the formal showcase. On this date Veteran participants, family, and friends come together to celebrate our Veteran's accomplishments. This includes an art display, stage show, and awards ceremony. At this event, our Veteran participants have the opportunity to speak with both their fellow Veteran's and attendees from the public about their creative work and why it's so important.

Music & Creative Arts Therapy is an evidence-based approach to clinical treatment that utilizes music and creative arts approaches and interventions in combination with a therapeutic relationship with a Board-Certified Music Therapist or Licensed Art Therapist to help work on clinical goals for rehabilitation and wellness purposes.

Kelsey Eisenhauer, LPMT, MT-BC

VAMHCS Veterans Creative Arts Competition Coordinator

Email: kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov
Location:

Perry Point VA Medical Center

VA Maryland Health Care System

59 Avenue D

Perry Point, MD, USA 21902
Work Cell: 410-585-4477