Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

Harold Washington gives a poetic performance during the 2012 Local Creative Arts Competition at Chicago’s Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Washington was one of three JBVAMC Veterans to win awards at this year’s National Creative Arts Competition.

Three Veterans from Chicago's Jesse Brown VA Medical Center won medals in the 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs National Creative Arts Competition.

Daniel Barrios, David McGinnis and Harold Washington competed amongst nearly 4,000 Veterans across the country in the 2012 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The three were named top scorers in their respective categories.

Barrios took first place in the visual arts leather stamping division for his miniature saddle titled "Where Did He Go."
 
McGinnis took first place in visual arts fabric art kit division for his quilt titled "Cartwheel Costa Rica."

Harold Washington finished second and third place in the solo performing arts categories of comedy and dramatic poetry, respectively.

Barrios and McGinnis have been invited to display their work at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Boston, Mass. October 8-15.

Veterans interested in displaying their artistic talents should plan to participate in the 2013 competition at Jesse Brown VAMC in February. For more information, contact Kristen Bouwman at (312) 569-7469.

By Mike Molina