New Century Art Guild is pleased to open our new Nebraska headquarters and art gallery in Olde Towne Bellevue. An exhibition of NCAG’s 2016 Veteran Artist Grant Recipient Neville Bridgeford’s photography and paintings and the photography of Navy Veteran, Jeff Wild will be on display until September 30th. The opening event will also run concurrently with City of Bellevue’s “Arrows to Aerospace” Parade and festival on Saturday August 20th.
Neville Bridgeford, Afghanistan. Photo courtesy National Geographic
Veteran artist Neville Bridgeford has been selected by New Century Art Guild as the 2016 NCAG Veteran Artist Grant Recipient.
While serving as an infantryman in the Army’s 25th Infantry Division in Afghanistan in 2004, Neville thought photography would be a good hobby to quell the boredom that often accompanies combat deployment. He bought a small digital camera at a PX while returning to his unit after leave. Not long afterwards, he fell in love with photography, and took his camera everywhere, taking pictures whenever and wherever he could. Since his return to civilian life, Neville continues to take photos and makes art in other media, most notably acrylic painting on canvas. Giving expression to his emotions, he feels, is not only vital to having a more tranquil inner-life, but it helps in his recovery from post-traumatic stress, from which he has suffered for many years.
Neville working on mixed media painting.
Neville was born October 27th 1983 in southern California, and was raised in the community of Santa Clarita (north of Los Angeles) home of the California Institute of the Arts and used frequently as a filming location for Hollywood films and television. In 2002, shortly after graduating high school, he entered the US Army and served as an infantryman with “A” Company 2-27th Infantry Regiment (“Wolfhounds”) of the 25th Infantry Division. He was stationed in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and served a year (2004-2005) in eastern Afghanistan. There he began his hobby of photography. Coincidentally, a photographed portrait of Neville appeared in National Geographic, taken by the photographer Reza. Several years after getting out of the service, he began working at an art store, where he began painting at the age of 27. In February of 2016, Neville moved to Lincoln, Nebraska from southern California for a cheaper cost of living and to try living in another part of the country. He also spends time on his other interests: playing classical piano, creative writing, reading, prayer and meditation.
Some examples of Neville’s work:
Painting by Neville Bridgeford
Angel and Peacock by Neville BridgefordPainting by Neville BridgefordPainting by Neville BridgefordAfghan Portrait by Neville Bridgeford
Aureon is pleased to announce that an Aureon Charity Grant has been awarded to New Century Art Guild. Upon reviewing an abundance of applications, Aureon Charity Grant Committee delegated funds to projects committed to the betterment of local Iowan communities. The grant was presented in conjunction with Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co. who sponsored the grant application. Aureon the new name for Iowa Network Services created the grant program in 1993 to increase service and support to rural independent telecommunications companies and the communities they serve. The Aureon Charity Grant Program rewards grants on a quarterly basis. Over the course of twelve years, Aureon has donated over $850,000 to local communities and their surrounding areas. We believe in rewarding various organizations for their passion and dedication to advancing their own neighborhoods. Each proposal that is chosen by our Grant Committee reflects the organizations’ enthusiasm for serving their communities. Aureon looks forward to aiding future community-improvement projects and extends our best wishes to your own community development. New Century Art Guild president Jim O’Keefe stated the donation would be used toward promoting NCAG’s mission of helping veterans heal through art.
–Submitted by METC and NCAG –Courtesy Of Danish Villages News July 9, 2016
Artist Elizabeth Boutin will have her art displayed at the New Century Art Guild’s Gallery in Kimballton, IA. The exhibition, “Effects of PTSD”, opens May 19th with a meet the artist dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. Among the artworks featured will be some of Boutin’s oil and acrylic paintings dealing with the topic of PTSD.
Boutin married into the military, and while the couple moved abroad, she volunteered with the Red Cross. Seeing the ravages of post traumatic stress disorder firsthand fueled her creative drive to express the wounds both internal and external of those in the military through her art –and by doing so, attempt to alleviate some of their pain.
On the dinner menu: delicious smoked pork loin from Henningsen’s Meats, beer, wine and other goodies!
Come join the fun! Creative workshops are open to all active and former military and their loved ones! All workshops meet at Bellevue University’s MVSC.
This month the Omaha V.A. Hospital will commemorate the donation and permanent installation of a grouping of 5 bronze statues that represent each branch of US military service.
The grouping, donated in large part by New Century Art Guild, is already installed in the VA Lobby’s main entrance and represents all five branches of the US Military with 18” cast bronze likeness featuring current working uniform of servicemen and women holding a parade-rest position. The figures, modeled after actual servicemen and women, are displayed on a wood base that has a modern, yet classic appearance and features inset insignia that represent each branch of service.
The commemoration ceremony will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, February 17th in the Main Lobby of the Omaha VA at 4101 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, NE 68105.
NCAG welcomes Jim O’Keefe as its President. Jim is a retired naval aviator, software consultant and developer, project manager, corporate executive and entrepreneur. He is a service disabled veteran. He is currently the founder and President of Quick2Build, LLC, a blended learning software company with an integrated suite of software tools designed for seamless compatibility, ease of use, and flexible output.
NCAG welcomes Troy E. Blaine as its Vice President. Troy is the President of Kingdom Insurance Group, Inc. He serves as a business consultant, mentor and coach; helping agencies, businesses and non-profits accelerate to new levels of accomplishments. The agency integrates risk management solutions and provides financial security. With their strategic alliance of insurance professionals in both business and personal lines insurance, they are able to provide financial products that include risk management and wealth accumulation solutions.
NCAG also wishes to thank Pat Crosley for retaining her position as Secretary and Troy Muller for retaining his position as Art Director.
Army Veteran Kyle Foster was selected as New Century Art Guild’s 2015 Veteran Artist Grant recipient. His work will be on view at Metro Community College’s Fort Omaha Campus in November.
Kyle is currently a student of visual art at Metro Community College. Before studying art professionally, he served 3 years in active duty with US Army from 2010 to 2013. He was part of D Company of the 2-35 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He deployed to Afghanistan as an 11B infantryman where he saw heavy combat activity in several areas including: Outpost Honacher Miracle, Kunar Province and Regional Command East. Kyle received the Purple Heart after being injured by a pressure-plate type IED explosion and was honorably and medically discharged from the Army after numerous surgeries were made to salvage use of his left foot and ankle.
PFC Kyle Foster being visited by Secretary of the Army in 2011 while recovering from his combat injuries. Photo Credit: Army.mil
Upon returning to Nebraska, Kyle reinvented himself as a civilian; getting married and finding steady work as a shift supervisor with a prominent security company. Kyle and his wife, Brittney, are now awaiting the arrival of another child in addition to their 4 year old daughter, Zoey.
Kyle has a great eye for composition and a sensitive hand for drawing in charcoal, pastel and pencil. His artistic ability and veteran status named him as the recipient of New Century Art Guild’s 2015 Veteran Artist Grant. In addition to completing his college degree, Kyle’s ambitions include strengthening his artistic abilities and teaching art– perhaps teaching drawing to other wounded warriors.
Examples of Kyle’s drawings:
Kyle Foster – Warm Embrace, charcoal 2015Kyle Foster -Potty Song, charcoal 2015Kyle Foster -Do You Know Who I Am? Charcoal, 2015Kyle Foster -Burn the Bodies, pastel 2015Kyle Foster -Many Faces of PTSD, Charcoal 2015
