Category Archives: Previous Projects/Events

“Meet the Artist” Dinner was Delicious and Inspiring!

Mario illustrates his military and art careers with a vivid slideshow.
Mario illustrates his military and art careers with a vivid slideshow.

NCAG hosted an art exhibition of Mario Lopez’s work at a “Meet the Artist” dinner reception in their Kimballton Gallery. Mario and his lovely wife, Danielle, inspired artists and veterans alike at the event held on Saturday, March 22nd. Lopez shared his inspiration journey as a soldier, family-man, minister and artist.  He said, “I am a wounded warrior but I don’t let my war injuries define me.  I like that I can help people by showing them that even though life throws obstacles our way, there is no reason to give up because life is always worth living.”  Mario presented a gripping slideshow and testimony that kept the audience at the edges of their seats. Mario was made a lifetime NCAG member and also sold two paintings the night of the event.

First Annual Competitive Student Art Scholarship

Students: submit your best work!
Students: submit your best work!

New Century Art Guild is pleased to announce our first competitive scholarship for an art student for the 2014 – 2015 school year.

The scholarship award includes:

  • $500 toward tuition for the next academic term to student’s school of choice.
  • Evaluation of portfolio and academic/career direction by professional artist.
  • Invitation to exhibit artwork at NCAG gallery.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Completed application.
  • Digital portfolio that includes 6-10 digital images of your best personal artwork.  Only JPEG images on a CD will be accepted –Do not send photos!
  • High school seniors and prospective or enrolled college students are eligible.
  • Letter of recommendation from an art teacher or other art professional.
  • Must be willing to submit a written report to NCAG showing how scholarship was used by the end of academic term.

 Click on link below for PDF of application form:

Call For Entries Form

Send your enclosed application, portfolio CD and letter of recommendation by Thursday, April 24th 2014 to:

2014 Art Scholarship Contest
New Century Art Guild, Inc.
Box 64
Kimballton, IA  51543

 

(Please email questions to  tcrosley@metc.net)

Best of luck!!

NCAG’s 2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation and Open House a big success!

Polka Police --back by popular demand!
Polka Police –back by popular demand!

Two art galleries  on Kimballton’s Main Street were open to the public to view veterans’ artwork including Tracy Stambaugh (AirForce), Ronee Smith (Army National Guard) and Bart Vargas (Air Force). Art Director Troy Muller’s artwork also remained on view. and a tasting of local wines began at 4:00p.m.   A chili cook-off was held at the Cottonwood Barn at 5:30pm.     Chili cooks vied for the top three prizes, determined by the most donations they collect in nearby buckets.  Proceeds went to student and veteran art scholarships. Entertainment was provided by  Loren Christensen on acoustic guitar and the widely popular singing-duo the “Polka Police”. This was a family friendly event; free and open to the public.

PAINTINGS BY MARIO LOPEZ

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Paintings by Mario Lopez
Paintings by Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez, a 29 year old veteran from Bandera, Texas was the recipient of NCAG’s 2014 Veteran Artist Grant. The grant included an expense paid four-day visit to the Midwest.  Troy Muller, NCAG Art Director, conducted three individualized painting workshops for Mario and curated a small exhibition of his paintings in the NCAG Gallery.

U.S. Army Sgt. Mario Lopez served in Iraq in 2006-7 and Afghanistan in 2008. In August of 2008, Mario was severely injured while on duty with a combat engineering unit in Afghanistan. As part of a routine convoy, Lopez was strapped into his MRAP Vehicle on his way to his next mission when a 300-pound roadside bomb exploded, creating a blast that sent the MRAP’s door hurtling into him and pinning him inside the burning vehicle. As a result of the blast, he sustained burns on more than 50 percent of his body and he subsequently lost his right arm, right ear, right eye and most of the fingers on his left hand.

Mario said, “While recovering in 2011, I picked up a paint brush with my remaining left fingers and began to experiment! Initially, I was painting just for myself, but friends and family started to inquire about my art.  Before I knew it, I was getting attention and requests from people I had never even met!” Today, Mario and his wife, Danielle, are taking his painting career to the next level and sharing his ability and inspiration with others nationwide.

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