VA Maryland Health Care System

Maryland Veteran Dances to be "Free"

Maléné Asi Bailey, U.S. Air Force veteran, will showcase her ballet performance titled, “Free” during the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival to be held in San Antonio, Texas in October 2009.

Maléné Asi Bailey, a U.S. Air Force veteran, happily travelled to San Antonio, Texas, in October 2009 to join more than 125 selected veterans who exhibited their artistic ability at the 2009 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival grand finale.  The Festival is a culmination of a year-long, national fine arts talent competition, including music, dance, drama and art, in which thousands of veterans across the nation had the opportunity to demonstrate their creative abilities.

Bailey, who receives her health care at the Perry Point Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, a division of the VA Maryland Health Care System, won first place at the local level competition for her ballet performance titled, “Free.”

"I chose this entry because I have danced my entire life and studied different forms, yet ballet is my first love," said Bailey.  "Free is how I feel when I dance and I want to share my story of triumph over homelessness and beginning anew." 

Veterans who participated in the Veterans Creative Arts Festival at the Baltimore VA Medical Center include the group He-Rose, who won first place for their performance of “Standout” in the patriotic dance category, and the Blind Beat Dancers, who won second place in the group novelty division for their performance of “Cupid’s Shuffle.”Additional veteran participants at the Perry Point VA Medical Center include Ella Baldwin, who placed third for her vocal solo performance of “Amazing Grace,” and Walter Howarth, who placed third in the assemblage category for his art piece titled “Old Bait Shack.” 

Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion Auxiliary and Help Hospitalized Veterans, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival recognizes the progress and recovery made through creative arts therapy, and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our nation's veterans after disease, disability or life crisis.

"The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival provides veterans with an opportunity to strengthen and enhance their skills and receive recognition for their accomplishments," said Carla Carmichael, deputy director of Recreation Therapy for the VA Maryland Health Care System.  "This Festival helps to demonstrate the healing power of the arts that goes well beyond a person's physical needs."