Veterans Create Art in Loma Linda
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
The first place winner in the assemblage category, Harry Farason, with his work entitled "Bi-plane." The piece was made from cereal boxes, a cup, bendy straws, styrofoam, cardboard markers, and recycled materials..
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
The first place winner in the mosaic category: "Peragrine Falcon" by Charles Petrovich a piece that was designed and cut out from an actual photo. Petrovich created the pattern out of several types of wood. .
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
"Outhouse" by Daniel McCarthy featuring a small wood kit with embellishment including a remote controlled TV, bench, logs, cans, books, pine trees, and bird house to complete the look. The piece was featured in the woodwork category. .
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
Decorated inside of Daniel McCarthy's piece "Outhouse.".
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
The winner of the Best in Show was Richard Waggoner for an original wood carving of a whimsical “Tower House” made entirely from an avocado branch..
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
Tom Fontane's piece was a collage made from news, postcards, buttons, money, and snafu scrabble pieces. In person the art in one angle appears as the Statue of Liberty, and in another Uncle Sam. .
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
Leather pieces by Ed Miller, a volunteer at the VA Loma Linda Hospital where he teaches courses to veterans on tooling, carving, and stamping. .
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
The judges from the art show from left to right: Ada Jarvis, Scott Krohne, Rudy Ramirez, Linda Williamson, Julie R. Evans, and Richard Burke..
Photo Courtesy of: Julie R. Evans
The art show featured 51 artwork pieces across multiple categories. Featured here is artwork in the several categories including Tom Fontanes collage and acrylic "Freedom is Costly," by Bill..
By Julie R. Evans
Community Writer
02/24/2016 at 09:05 AM
The National Veterans’ Creative Arts Festival held annually on the third Thursday of every February took place on Feb. 18, at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center.
DAR member Julie R. Evans, Scott Krohne, Rudy Ramirez, Ada Jarvis, and Linda Williamson, were the local community artist volunteer judges for this unique show consisting entirely of artwork by U.S. veterans. The artwork was judged based on creativity/originality, skill and execution, and overall presentation.
There were 51 artwork pieces (some completed using art supplies donated for veterans’ programs) competing during this one-day art show. There were 28 separate categories of art represented in this show, ranging from bead work, stone polishing, woodwork, model building, ceramics, dream catchers, leather work, photography, drawing, pastels, acrylics, watercolor, oils, and more.
Best in Show went to Richard Waggoner for an original wood carving of a whimsical “Tower House” from an avocado branch.
The first place award for every category in each local level competition (about 130 facilities participate) will move forward to be judged by a panel in June that will pick the top three in the nation in each of the 51 categories designated.
Those first place winners will then move forward again to compete nationally for a gold, silver, or bronze medal award on Oct. 10-16, 2016, at the G. B. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, in Jackson, Mississippi.
At that time a booklet will be created that showcases the artistic achievements of the veterans from across the country.
This art show is combined with four other creative arts therapies for veterans—music, dance, drama, and creative writing.
Craft Care Specialist Richard Burke, COTA, who has organized this event for the past ten years has seen the benefits it offers to veterans. "I really enjoy this because I see people change. They'll have this small project and pride in what they did," said Burke. "This works as a way for Veterans who usually would be at home to get out their homes. It allows them to sit and talk to each other, and build camaraderie."
To donate art kits, supplies, or your time to teach arts and crafts at the VA, contact Burke, COTA, at (909) 235-8831.
