Veteran Arts Showcase 2026 • November 20 through 22 • 914.522.5518

The Veteran Arts Showcase is thrilled to announce our annual US Military Service Member and Veteran celebration is once again being held November 20-22, at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The Reception and Opening Ceremonies begin Friday, November 20 at 5:30pm; refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. A Presentation of Colors & Opening Remarks will be followed by civilian and veteran presentations, performances and reflections on service, reintegration and the benefits of expressive therapies.

This year will be honoring WWII veteran and Battle of the Bulge survivor, Ralph Osterhoudt Sr.

The Gallery will be open Friday 11/20 5:00-8:30pm, Saturday 11/21, 10:00am-4:30pm and Sunday 11/20, 10:00am-4:30pm

The Showcase features visual artists, crafters, writers, poets, musicians, and performers who are exclusively active-duty military, veterans, or their family members. Visitors can experience powerful and unique interpretations of multiple arts, navigating connections between war and community.

A special thanks to the Art Therapy Programs at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, and our sponsor MENDED SWORDS.

We especially encourage the civilian community to, enjoy an opportunity to support this event with veterans and their family members, on the 250th anniversary of our country's independence.

For more info please contact: GEORGE LAWS veteranartsshowase@gmail.com, or COLLIN SPEED mendedswords1776@gmail.com

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW, THIS EVENT IS WAY MORE THAN JUST AN ART SHOW!

Our mission

OUR MISSION: The Veteran Arts Showcase was founded on the understanding that the arts are vital to veteran reintegration - for self-expression, recovery from the aftereffects of war, and to reconnect with the community.

The Veteran Arts Showcase is much more than an art show. We have workshops, performances and music all weekend long. We welcome attendance by memebers of the civilian community to foster an understanding of the issues that veterans face long after their service ends.

For more information, contact George Laws: (914) 522-5518Email: veteranartsshowcase@gmail.com

TO APPLY PLEASE USE OUR ONLINE APPLICATION FORM AT THIS LINK: ONLINE DIGITAL FORM

OR USE OUR FILLABLE PDF FORM BY CLICKING THE FORM IMAGE TO THE RIGHT.

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Some of the work previously shown

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FILLABLE PDF APPLICATION

Warrior Art: Healing Invisible Wounds

The creative arts are a non-threatening, person centered modality that encourages people to use their creativity to gain insight and understanding into the issues that challenge their lives in a manner that respects their individual needs, personal histories, and present day concerns.

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Art Therapy can help with PTSD

To this end, outpatient art therapy programs provide a safe space for veterans to create expressive art. This process can be used when words are hard to find, as a means to help veterans gain a clearer understanding of and heal from difficult experiences.

For example memories of trauma in veterans with PTSD are stored in the visual (non-verbal) portion of the brain putting traditional talk therapies at a disadvantage. It is, however, highly accessible to techniques employing visual imagery such as art therapy. Creating this imagery can itself be therapeutic as well as being a springboard for further more in depth exploration and discussion. No prior art experience is necessary to participate.

As veterans become more familiar with the process, bringing their art and experiences to the larger community presents an opportunity for them to show their creative work and begin an expanded conversation with other veterans, their families, and the civilian world.

ABOUT THE VETERAN ARTS SHOWCASE

The Veteran Arts Showcase features visual artists, crafters, writers, poets, musicians, and performers who are active duty military, veterans, or their family members.

We especially encourage the civilian community to join us in this vital celebration of current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families. Visitors can experience powerful and unique interpretations of multiple arts, navigating connections between war and community. Information and demonstrations on effective therapies for PTSD will be on display.

This year we have workshops, performances and music all weekend long. Tell everyone you know, this is more than just an Art Show!

ABOUT EXPRESSIVE THERAPY

Expressive Therapies utilize the creative process as a form of therapy. Creative, artistic, and expressive therapies such as writing, art and music are used to help people communicate in ways that traditional talk therapies cannot.

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The Art Therapy Programs at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System have a long-standing reputation for encouraging veterans to engage in the creative process as a method of relaxation and/or to help understand and heal from traumatic experiences where words are difficult to find.

ALL THIS IS NOT NEW !

Ancient Egyptians encouraged artistic activity as a means of self-expression. The Greek and Roman Empires incorporated the restorative and informative properties of drama and music within their militaristic societies. During the Renaissance it was determined that the imagination played a role in health and well-being; the importance of dance and play to growth and development was discovered. Native Americans have been aware of the benefits of expressive therapy to reintegrate warriors back into the community for thousands of years. Research indicates the simple act of drumming or taking a photograph is beneficial.

The Veteran Arts Showcase is more than an art show, it’s goal it to demonstrate the ways in which we can utilize the process of creation to support and enhance veteran’s lives.

A special thanks to our benefactors, Mended Swords, and especially, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Historic Hyde Park.