Danielle and Mario Lopez are pictured with one of Mario’s paintings in their New Braunfels home on Feb. 2. Lopez, a wounded Army veteran, will host a gala with the New Century Art Guild on March 10 to support military veteran artists.
Story by THERESA DAVIS | Herald-Zeitung
New Braunfels resident Mario Lopez lost his right arm and most of his left hand in 2008 when a bomb hit his Army vehicle in Afghanistan but Lopez can still hold a paintbrush and a microphone — and he uses both to spread a message of healing and hope.
Lopez and the New Century Art Guild will host a U.S. Veteran Art Gala in New Braunfels on Friday, March 10 to support veteran artists.
The event will raise money for scholarships, supplies, education and mentoring for military veterans pursuing art careers.
“Art allows me to open new doors, express myself and share my experiences,” Lopez said.
Lopez, the Guild’s Southwest Region liaison, grew up in Alice, Texas. He joined the Army after 9/11.
Lopez served as a truck driver in Iraq for a year with a combat engineering unit building roads.
Then his unit was deployed to Afghanistan.
Four months into that stint, Lopez’s armored vehicle was hit by a 300-pound improvised explosive device, or IED.
“It exploded and then the vehicle lifted up, and it fell back down on the ground,” Lopez said. “All of a sudden it was gray everywhere, and I got knocked out.”
Lopez awoke to see flames engulfing the vehicle. His right arm was trapped.
“I started thinking this is a ‘dream,’” he said. “The flames got cold after a while, because the fire burned all my nerves.”
Crews eventually freed Lopez from the vehicle and transported him to a German hospital.
He suffered severe burns, lost his right arm and most of his left hand, and lost sight in his right eye.
Back in the U.S., Lopez started down a long road of surgeries in burn recovery units.
He dealt with depression and began to overuse pain medication.
One day, Lopez noticed an original painted canvas hanging on his friend’s wall.
“I used to do woodworking, so I said, ‘Well, how about painting?’” Lopez said. “I just love to create.”
A painting by Mario Lopez, a New Braunfels resident and southwest regional liaison for the New Century Art Guild. Proceeds from a March 10 gala will support military veteran artists.THERESA DAVIS | Herald-Zeitung
And he hasn’t stopped creating ever since.
Lopez has long been involved with the New Century Art Guild.
The group supports military veteran artists’ careers through art education and business skills.
The guild views art as a powerful tool for veterans experiencing PTSD.
Mario and his wife Danielle have met dozens of Texas veteran artists through their work, and decided to launch a local gala.
“We have everyone from established artists to people just breaking through,” Danielle said. “Art is therapeutic, and it’s exciting to see what these people can do.”
The New Braunfels multimedia art gala will be at the McKenna Events Center on 801 W. San Antonio St. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a night of dinner, guest speakers, music and dancing.
Tickets are $80 each. Corporate tables and sponsorships are also available.
Visit newcenturyartguild.org to purchase tickets online, or call 361-207-2599 for more information.
Tickets may also be purchased with a check sent by mail to Attn: Texas Veterans Art Show, New Century Art Guild, 4142 Main St., PO Box 92, Elk Horn, IA, 51543.
By Theresa Davis The Herald-ZeitungFeb 8, 2023 Updated Feb 8, 2023
Join us for a day full of holiday cheer! Five veteran artists display art work and NCAG will host a holiday ornament making workshop. Also, enjoy hot cocoa and seasonal treats!
Friday Nov 26th 10am to 2pm at 4142 Main Street, Elk Horn IA
Argentum Medical and the New Century Art Guild to Cohost Veterans Art Show on Friday, November 12, Featuring the Work of Wounded Warrior, Purple Heart Recipient and Artist U.S. Army Sgt. Mario Lopez.
Lopez, who sustained burns over 54% of his body, was treated with Argentum’s Silverlon antimicrobial dressings which are designed to help reduce postoperative infection rate for burn and blast injuries
Lopez serves as SW Region Art Director for New Century Art Guild, which provides training in art to military veteran artists, so they may successfully pursue new careers as artists, teachers or administrators
Argentum Medical, a medical device manufacture located in Geneva, Illinois and pioneer of Silverlon silver-plated nylon technology, together with the New Century Art Guild, will cohost a Veterans Art Show open to the community on Friday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Geneva American Legion Post 75, 22 S 2nd St. The Veterans Art Show will feature the work of retired U.S. Army Sgt. Mario Lopez, a wounded warrior, Purple Heart recipient, an artist whose work is featured nationwide in galleries, museums, military bases, government buildings and even in the offices of U.S. Presidents. Other local veteran artists Michael Bever, Larry Orsborn, Ricky Tavitas and Salvatore Dazzo will also be featured.
Sgt. Mario Lopez will be on hand at the Veterans Art Show to talk about his artwork and his experiences. Motivated by the September 11 attacks, Lopez joined the Army in 2003 and was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During a mission in 2008 in Afghanistan, he was seriously injured when the vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised explosive device (IED) and it detonated. Sgt. Lopez’ battle buddies acted quickly, pulling him from the burning vehicle.
He sustained burns over 54% of his body and lost his right arm, vision in his right eye and four fingers on his left hand. Sgt. Lopez underwent multiple skin grafts and surgeries to reconstruct his face, left hand, and right foot. Throughout his recovery, Lopez was treated with Silverlon silver-plated nylon wound dressing as an instrumental part of his recovery.
Silverlon dressings are critical in helping to prevent infection on wound or burn victims. Silverlon dressings have 50 to 100 times more metallic silver ions than other silver-impregnated dressings, which make them a strong antimicrobial. During his recovery, Sgt. Lopez who was awarded the Purple Heart, turned to painting as part of his healing. After losing his dominant right arm, Mario thought he would never paint again. However, in July 2011, he picked up a paintbrush with his left hand, started making strokes across the canvas, and has not stopped since.
“Sgt. Lopez paintings are a testament to his resilience and the resilience of our military heroes on Veterans Day.” said Raul Brizuela, president and CEO of Argentum Medical. “His artwork is a source of inspiration today and for years to come. We are proud to honor Veterans Day this way.”
Despite great adversity, Mario has a positive attitude toward life, a strong faith in God, and a desire to bring hope to those viewing his works. In fact, in August 2021, Sgt. Mario Lopez previously visited the Geneva headquarters of Argentum Medical to unveil and dedicate a painting to Argentum Medical, the creators of Silverlon, which helped save him. The painting (see photos) is a stylized image of the American flag on canvas and will hang at Argentum for all time. During that visit and dedication ceremony, Sgt. Lopez met with Illinois Congresswoman and Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Lauren Underwood. Lopez and leaders at Argentum Medical connected with Rep. Underwood to talk about the impact Argentum Medical’s Silverlon, a critical medical device used throughout the U.S. Military and included in the Strategic National Stockpile, had on Sgt. Lopez personally and contributed to the care he received during his treatment for his injuries and during recovery. They also discussed the need for use during national emergencies in potential catastrophic disasters or attacks.
Originally developed for military combat burn and blast injuries, SILVERLON antimicrobial technology is now used throughout the U.S. Military – and in civilian operating rooms and hospitals around the world. Multiple, peer-reviewed, published clinical studies have shown the significant benefits of SILVERLON in a wide variety of surgical, wound and burn-care settings. SILVERLON is recognized by the Federal Drug Administration for use on first- and second-degree burns, partial and full thickness wounds and most recently, sulfur-mustard burns. In addition, SILVERLON® dressings are used today by surgeons and other healthcare professionals around the world on surgical wounds, in negative pressure wound therapy, on chronic wounds, burns, skin grafts, and IV and catheter-related wounds.
ABOUT SILVERLON:
SILVERLON® wound dressings have a permanently plated metallic surface, which provides the antimicrobial benefits of silver in the dressing without staining the skin and without increasing bioburden. SILVERLON® was originally developed for the U.S. military, where it is still extensively used for management of burn and blast injuries. SILVERLON® dressings are used today by surgeons and other healthcare professionals around the world on surgical wounds, in negative pressure wound therapy, on chronic wounds, burns, skin grafts, and IV and catheter-related wounds. For more, visit Silverlon.com
ABOUT ARGENTUM MEDICAL:
Argentum Medical pioneered the use of silver-plated nylon. Specializing in the development of innovative products made from silver-plated nylon, the companies continue to explore new applications and markets for SILVERLON® technology in keeping with their corporate mission to improve clinical outcomes.
ABOUT THE NEW CENTURY ART GUILD:
New Century Art Guild, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the primary mission to provide training in art and business education to motivated military veteran artists so they may successfully pursue new careers in the fine arts as artists, teachers, or administrators. A powerful side benefit from these activities is a substantial reduction of the depression associated with PTSD and the re-integration of these veterans into a fulfilling and useful role in civilian society. For more, visit http://newcenturyartguild.org
NCAG is pleased to present veteran artist Ricky Tavitas’ work, which can be seen at Norse Horse in Elk Horn IA until Friday, Oct. 22nd, 2021.
Artist Bio: Since childhood, Ricky Tavitas was always attracted to rich vibrant colors and designs- be it from comic books, drawings, graffiti, or pieces of apparel visible while out in the city. His interest in art began while studying graphic arts in high school where he experimented with his newfound artistic skills on various media such as, paper, glass, and digital art. After high school, Tavitas attended the highly accredited Chicago’s Columbia College School of Fine Arts where he developed advanced skills in digital design and learned how to use the latest software and technology to deliver dynamic visual communications.
Two years into his studies at Columbia, he enlisted in the United States Army. Focusing on his new career path in the military, Ricky set aside his studies in digital art, and began a new specialty as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He served a total of 13 years and deployed to Iraq in 2009 and later Afghanistan in 2011.
Tragically in June of 2020, Ricky was involved in a civilian, non-military motor vehicle accident suffering a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Thanks to the encouragement from a trusted caregiver during his recovery at a Veteran Affairs long term care facility, Tavitas made the decision to pursue his talent in graphic design once again. Despite having no movement in his fingers or hands and limited movement in his arms, he was able to refamiliarize himself with graphic arts software and programs he learned while in college prior to his military service. With the assistive technology program called, “Smile Mouse” (a software that uses one’s laptop camera to recognize facial and head movements to relay computer commands) Ricky is once again able to command the cursor to click, drag, and scroll so that he can manifest his tremendous graphic design talent and creative vision.
By taking multiple images and manipulating them into one new and unique image, Tavitas conveys to the audience his thoughts and ideas through an elaborate, compelling visual story.
NCAG sponsored a large mural to thank veterans for Veterans Day 2020. The installation and painting workshop location were graciously hosted by Citylight Art Project, directed by NCAG’s own Alison Ranniger. Veterans from the VA’s Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) painted the mural in mid-October. The RRTP is a 14 bed residential program for male and female veterans providing veteran-centered, evidence based treatment in four specialty areas that specifically target veterans’ needs.
This pop-up online exhibition is a collection of self-portraits that visually and/or verbally describe what creating art has meant to each artist either as a veteran or as an artist working through the Covid-19 isolation, or both. The exhibition will also be a featured part of our Omaha Gives fundraising day activity on May 20th!
KARA ANDRESKI (U.S. Army):
“Self Portrait ” by Kara Andreski
“Self Portrait [was] created as a second year art student at Drake University, February 2020. I am a 51 year old returning student and a disabled army veteran. ‘You are never too old to become what you might have been!'” -Kara Andreski
NEVILLE BRIDGFORD (U.S. Army):
“Salvation” by Neville Bridgeford
“Art is a way for me to get closer with God by emulating The Creator—making ‘something from nothing.’ Art, for me, is a spiritual act, and artists are capable of being intermediaries for a Higher Power, and sharing beauty with the world. For this, I am eternally grateful to God. –Neville Bridgeford
SHARON ROBINO-WEST (U.S. M.C.):
“Solar Eclipse” by Sharon Robino-West
“This sums me up pretty well. No need to take another shot! I was photographing the eclipse a while back. Didn’t even think about the flag in the background when I took it…I enjoy my continued work with veterans and also creating photography and artwork that capture the spirit of our American service members and their families. Photography and writing probably come in right behind that. I own 4 cameras and a Go Pro. I enjoy sharing my creativity with others.” –Sharon Robino-West
BILL DUNN (U.S. M.C.):
by Bill Dunn
What does my art mean to me? I’m on this earth to serve other people in whatever way I can. God blessed me with an artistic and creative mind, so I use it to the best of my ability to make people laugh or cry or even jump up and down in joyful bliss. That’s my happy place, doing things for others. My art has taken me all over and I’ve had the fortune of meeting a lot of different kinds of people along the way. I have been blessed for sure and as the saying goes “Its been a long and (fun) strange trip.” –Bill Dunn
CHRIS POTRATZ (U.S. A.F.):
by Chris Potratz
“I have always been an introvert, and perhaps my service connected issues with anxiety have amplified that. My love for photography is a perfect match for such a disposition – my ideal photo session is a solo trip to a beautiful landscape, or just driving around in nature to see what I find. It allows me to express myself creatively and be in the state I love most: isolation.” –Chris Potratz
BRYON LINE (U.S. Army):
by Bryon Line
“Art for me has opened up wonderful and unexpected opportunities with old and new veteran friends to express ourselves within the community. And for now, it also provides a solace of purposeful work during an uncertain time. “ –Bryon Line
JEFF WILD (U.S. Navy):
by Jeff Wild
“In his book, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury wrote, ‘It doesn’t matter what you do…as long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away.’ As an extension of my hands (and eyes,) the camera allows me to demonstrate, if even in small and perhaps insignificant ways, that I was here” -Jeff Wild
PAMMELA GARCIA (NE. ARMY NAT. GUARD):
by Pammela Garcia
“To me, portraits are everything. I absolutely love drawing other people’s faces, however, when it came to drawing my own face I didn’t know if I could finish. I started this self portrait when I was 17 and at the time it felt accurate to my interests and what I thought was interesting about myself. I couldn’t bring myself to finish it, however. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, but i wanted to add all aspects of my personality and I felt like a self portrait could capture only a small part of that. So I left it unfinished. It is a reflection of how my life is unfinished but how I should never feel any shame for not having it all figured out yet. I hope one day I’ll come back to it when I feel satisfied enough to tell a complete story. ” –Pammela Garcia
TRACY STAMBAUGH (U.S.A.F):
by Tracy Stambaugh
“Being stuck inside, and having nobody to take pictures of, I have recently begun a self portrait series. Since everything in the world is so serious these days, I try to make my self portraits somewhat comical. I hope people smile when they see my work and it brings a little relief from everything going on right now. ” –Tracy Stambaugh
ERIN COLSON (U.S. Army):
by Erin Colson
“I have never been one to do the whole self portrait thing. I’d rather stay behind the camera. I know it’s important to put yourself out there sometimes… be vulnerable, yet it’s still so hard to do. This is a rough time for everyone. I have alot of anxieties about it. Having been in the Army has put me at an advantage during certain situations, this being one but it has also been hard because I’m a mom too. I have 2 sons, one on active duty Army and one trying to finish Army basic training. Not being with my boys during all of this and knowing they are out there trying to navigate this on their own without my husband and I, is the absolute hardest. I have my faith though and that gets me through everything no matter how hard, even the corona, the empty nesting and yes, even this self portrait.” –Erin Colson
PAUL CLARAHAN (U.S.A.F):
“Sidewalk Chalk” by Paul Clarahan
“This spiral project was in conjunction with a school project where the kids made their own chalk art at home and posted it online. I was asked to join in. It kinda tells me about how crazy/messed up things are right now in the Country. Yet it also describes me a lot of time. With Bipolar, depression and different types of PTSD, sometimes I don’t know if I’m wrong, right, going left or right. To be honest with you, this is the first time I’ve opened up to a lot people about myself. I’m mainly a hands on building kind of person. I can dream it in my head, then go build it.” –Paul Clarahan
JIM O’KEEFE (U.S. M.C.):
by Jim O’Keefe
“Given world events, it’s as though the rules of gravity have changed. Fortunately, we can still express and CONNECT with our eyes & ears. Visual storytelling is how I connect.” – Jim O’Keefe, JPOPhotoVideo.com
DEBORAH KING:
by Deborah King
“When this isolation time first hit I cried myself to sleep asking God for peace and direction and hope. Then as I laid there He began to give me purpose, painting ideas, and creative ways to reach out to those around me. I got up immediately and began to paint into the night. Since then I have shifted my focus, I have started to use my painting, and my creativity as a way of reaching out, and sharing a hopeful perspective. This time has been a creative incubator for me!”–Deborah King
JEREMY TUTINI:
by Jeremy Tutini
“A digital drawing of myself keeping an eye on the neighborhood during the recent lockdown. With few opportunities to leave the house, I’ve found myself more than ever looking out at the world and finding that more than ever I’ve wanted to be closer to it. The best I can do for now is to use my binoculars to gaze out the window.” — Jeremy Tutini
STEVE ELLIOTT (U.S. M.C.):
by Steve Elliott
“Over the past several months, I’ve been reminded of a simple quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” This is something I learned firsthand while serving on deployments, and have carried long into my professional career. I think one of the most satisfying aspects of being an artist during a time like this being reminded of how important it is to do just that.” –Steve Elliott
Danish Ambassador Lars Get Lose receives NCAG Lifetime Membership
The New Century Art Guild hosted the Ambassador of Denmark to the United States on April 4th at the New Century studio in Kimballton, Iowa. Guild members provided the Ambassador, Mr. Lars Gert Lose, with a tour of Kimballton’s Hans Christian Anderson sculpture garden, and concluded the visit with a reception at the New Century art gallery. The Ambassador met with New Century’s President Jim O’Keefe, Art Director Troy Muller, and was gifted a photograph by Veteran Artist and long-time New Century Art Guild member Bert Leaverton. The Ambassador expressed his sincere respect for American veterans, and hopes to collaborate with the New Century Art Guild on international veteran art projects in the near future.
Now open on the main floor of the Museum of Danish America:
Vetted View II -an exhibition of New Century Art Guild’s U.S. Military veterans that have studied or are currently studying photography.
This exhibition is curated and co-sponsored by New Century Art Guild. Reminder: admission is free for past & present members of the military!
New Century Art Guild is a non-profit arts organization co-founded by veterans and artists that was established to transform veterans’ lives through the power of art. The organization offers valuable resources to vets just looking for a little relaxation, to those seeking a new career in the arts. They have the combined experience and resources to assist veterans making the transition into the mindset, or career, that they want.
“Art is a powerful force. It has the ability to tell stories and to express deep emotions; it has the ability to relax the mind and encourage creative problem solving. It is a force perfectly suited to helping veterans and military families in their readjustment to civilian life.”
