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Healing through creativity: New Braunfels gala to support local veteran artists

Danielle and Mario Lopez
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

2023 National Veterans Competition & Festival

All forms and works must be submitted
electronically (.jpg, .doc, .pdf or similar).

A panel of judges from the local creative
arts and veteran community will determine
the top three finalists.

Entry forms and all submissions are due:
August 4, 2023.

For rule packets and entry forms, contact
Cati DeMasi at catherine.demasi@va.gov
or scan the QR code below.
Creative Arts Competition Contact:
Cati DeMasi
402-995-6600
catherine.demasi@va.gov

NEBRASKA ARTS COUNCIL SUPPORTS VETERAN ART WORKSHOP SERIES

Through a generous Arts Learning Project grant through the Nebraska Arts Council, veterans in the VA’s Residential program were able to use the expressive and healing powers of art-making with their fellow military veterans and support team. New Century Art Guild’s signature “Vet-X-Press” (VXP) workshop series, veterans have an opportunity to unburden mental strain in the form of self-expressed artwork created in an environment that promotes healing and relaxation. Participants use different artistic media each session, including visual art, writing, music and acting. All experience levels are welcome and no previous experience is required. Workshop series are always free to veterans and their family members. The workshops further impact on the vitality of arts and culture in the veteran community by leading to exhibitions of veteran art and supporting art events, including the VA’s Annual Creative Arts Festival.