In August, the Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Loveland sponsored a local competition for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Over 50 entries by different artists across Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming entered the arts contest. This contest is for veterans who have showcased their artistic works throughout the area. Finalists can enter the national finals to be held in Denver, CO in April 2024. Multiple contest categories included different varieties of art including watercolors, oils, sculptures, creative writing, dance, music, and drama.
Several finalists included Army veteran Jerry Wood from Saratoga, Wyoming with his alabaster sculpture on “Course Correction” as shown here. Jerry has been creating art since 1979.
Army Veteran & Artist Jerry Wood
Another finalist is Army veteran Ruth Kachstaetter, who lives in Loveland, won first prize for her oil painting of “Sapper” of a German Shorthair Pointer as shown below. Ruth had been a firearms instructor in the Army and learned to paint since age six. The dog’s owner and retired Army veteran Steve Walls asked Ruth to paint his beloved pointer several years ago, not knowing her painting would win first prize in this local competition. Interestingly, Sapper has won awards in several hunting dog contests too.
Army Veterans Steve Walls with Sapper & Artist Ruth Kachstaetter
Army Veteran Steve Walls with Sapper and Army Veteran & Artist Ruth Kachstaetter
Congratulations to these award winners and the other local winners for their artistic displays!