Veteran Joshua Seybert, right, discusses his photography work on display at the 4th annual Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival at the American Legion Post 778 on Friday, Sept. 13. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
BUTLER TWP — Local veterans showed off their creative skills in various fields at the VA Butler Healthcare’s fourth annual Veterans Creative Arts Festival, held at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.
On display were pieces of artwork ranging from paintings to poetry to music. The festival served as both an art exhibit and a local qualifying event for the Veterans Affairs’ national art competition, to be held next May in Indianapolis.
“This is a local VA Butler Healthcare competition,” said Karen Dunn, nurse at the VA Butler Healthcare, as well as coordinator for the event. “All of the veterans in the VA Butler Healthcare System can take part in this competition.”
The top three entries in each category are sent to a panel of judges who will look at works of art from VA agencies across the country. The first-place artists in each category will then be invited to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, to be held in Indianapolis in May 2025.
Some categories in the competition, such as carving and “transfer/engraving art kit,” received fewer than three entries, meaning all local entries in these categories advanced by default. There were no entries for any drama or dance categories.
The vast majority of entries on display during Friday’s show were in the visual art categories, ranging from paintings to photography to wood carvings to elaborate dioramas. Notable works in the latter category included “700 Planes Raid” by Charles Jennings, an elaborate depiction of a battle.
Joseph Gluz earned national consideration for two paintings in two different categories — an abstract depiction of a city at night in acrylic, and a realistic depiction of an accident at a steel plant in oil.
Gluz, who served in the 1st Battalion 81st Field Artillery, based the oil painting on an actual photograph of a “washout” at a Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill.
“I’m a steelworker,” Gluz said. “I was a crane operator. I picked up these ladles. This is what’s called a ladle washout.”
The top three local entries in each category, if applicable, were already decided before the day of the exhibit, and were specially marked. However, all local entries were on display in the competition for all to see — and hear.
Later in the show, visitors were treated to performances of the musical entries, as well as readings of the creative writing entries. One of the veterans who performed music was Christina Griffin, who performed guitar covers of three popular songs: “Into Dust” by Mazzy Star, “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison, and “Thank You” by Alanis Morrisette.
Griffin, who served in the Air Force as a dental assistant, only began learning the guitar five months ago, as part of the VA’s Guitars for Vets program.
“I've always played piano, but I've always wanted to learn a string instrument.” Griffin said. “Then the VA offered this program, so I was grateful to be able to be part of that program and be able to play.”
Jon Brodnax contributed four creative writing entries. Brodnax, who served in Panama, turned to creative writing as an outlet for his issues with post-traumatic stress and bipolar disorders, but hasn’t shared any of his work until recently.
“Writing helps me keep grounded. It helps me deal with some of the things that I go through,” Brodnax said. “When the festival came up, I was just like, ‘Okay, maybe I’ll share it. Maybe it can help someone else.’”
Michelle Montagna looks at an art piece entitled “Mosaic Melody” during the 4th annual Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival at the American Legion Post 778 on Friday, Sept. 13. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The 4th annual Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival was held at the American Legion Post 778 on Friday, Sept. 13. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
U.S. Navy veteran Trudy Neumann looks an art piece entitled “Frog Man” during the 4th annual Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival at the American Legion Post 778 on Friday, Sept. 13. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
