Ceremony in Augusta honors veteran artists: 'it's a way of communicating something that's so complex'

AUGUSTA -- Thursday afternoon, inside Togus VA Medical Center's Auditorium, the Maine Arts Commission held its annual Veterans' Art Celebration Ceremony, with artwork in various forms from those who've served.

"It's a way of communicating something that's so complex, and so hard, really, to communicate to other people," said Daryne Rockett, an Air Force veteran and award recipient. "Whether it's writing, or dance, or music, or visual art, it becomes a catalyst, a way for people to convey something that's usually really hard to communicate."

Organizers say more than 40 veteran artists were part of this year's celebration.

"Veterans have given up their time, their service, in many cases their lives for their communities and their country," said Bob Keyes, Chair of the Maine Arts Commiss