Veterans Arts Festival held in Boston

BOSTON (WWLP) - Massachusetts is hosting the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Art therapy is a unique way for veterans to address post traumatic distress disorder and other ailments when they return home from war.

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is a competition among U.S. military veterans that allows them to heal through art. Nearly 4,000 veterans across the country entered the art, music, drama, dance and creative writing competitions this year. The regional art winners exhibited their works at the State House, including the top winner, Bill McCormick.

“My piece is a piece I did about PTSD. It's locked up with hidden thoughts,” said Bill McCormick.

Elizabeth Mackey said, “By using the arts to communicate that trauma, they're getting it out, it's a healthy outlet and they're sharing it with other people that really understand and recognize that.”

The festival will culminate with a free stage show at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston on Sunday.

If you're interested in participating in the festival, you can get involved through your local Veterans Association Center in Northampton.