The Salisbury VA Medical Center is now taking submissions for the local level of competition of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Winners in the art competition will be announced Feb. 13 during a showing in the Building 6 Social Room at  2 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

Veterans who live in the Salisbury VAMC catchment area are encouraged to enter the competition. Applications are available through the Recreation Therapy office located in Building 6. Entries are due by 8 p.m. Feb. 9.

The competition includes 51 categories in the visual arts division this year that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 100 categories in the performing arts pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. First place winners from this local competition will be entered into the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, taking place Oct. 10 -17, in Jackson, Miss.

The National Veterans Creative Arts competition provides veterans the opportunity to express themselves through the arts and gain recognition for their creative talents and skills.

Veterans who would like more information about the competition can call Terri Gilbeau at 704-638-9000, at ext. 3575; Jenny Taylor, ext. 3065; or Brittany Gerring, ext. 3143. More information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is also available at http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/caf/index.asp.

The arts competition is sponsored by the Salisbury VAMC Recreation Therapy Department and the American Legion Auxiliary.