Festival celebrates the creativity of Veterans

Jim Becker says a teacher recognized his talent early on "I think it was my middle school art teacher, Miss Nowack." Jim, an award winning artist who grew up in Orchard Park is back in town to pick up another award. Colonel James Backer is in the US Army Reserve and just got back from Kuwait. He is joining dozens of other veterans this week at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival being held in Buffalo. According Pam Kaznowski, local host coordinator for the festival, this is an important week for the one hundred eighteen first place winners that have gathered here from across the country "it can be life changing. we have performers, we have creative writers and we have visual artists." The winners are here to receive their gold medals and to showcase their talents at UB Center for the Arts on Sunday between Noon and 4PM. Jim Becker's award winning artwork will be on display along with his co-recipients. Jim says  that showing off his work can be "nerve wracking and wonderful" adding that "when you have many sets of eyes validate it, that's pretty wonderful." The  Festival is open free to the public at the UB Center for the Arts. The Art Exhibit and Creative Writers Meet and Greet is Noon-1:45PM in the Atrium Lobby with the Stage show featuring singers and performers is on the Mainstage Theatre kicking off at 2pm. For Free tickets and information call 716-862-6814