NCAG AND VETERAN ARTIST FEATURED ON LOCAL NEWSCAST

Here is a link to the WOWT News story video:

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Local-Organization-Helps-Veterans-Find-Therapy-with-Art-296722651.html

Here is a transcript of the news story:

In the corner of his basement, Bryon Line is hard at work. When he’s not painting a scene made by Mother Nature, he’s recreating an image from his 15(??) years in the army. “You get reminded if you ever did it, what it felt like to be one of those guys,” Line said. Like Bryon, many veterans find therapy in art. “You found energy, you felt motivation, and you felt comraderies,” Line added.

Bryon’s paintings are on display at this gallery – 75 miles away in the quaint town of Kimballton, Iowa. Line says, “I’m very much impressed with the way they’ve helped revive Kimballton, Iowa.

But the connection between Bryon Line and Kimballton is thicker than the oil based paints on his canvas. “I served in the marine corp from 70-74 and I was in the air wings,” Scott Smith, Director of the New Century Art Guild said. Like Bryon, Scott Smith is a veteran. Eight years ago he helped create the New Century Art Guild – an art organization created by Veterans for Veterans.

“One veteran in particular, I challenged to make a series of paintings about his experiences and it changed his life,” Troy Muller, art instructor and board member of the New Century Art Guild, states proudly. Through funding and workshops the Guild helps Veterans reconnect with Society and recapture the comraderies experienced in the armed services. “Like I said before, those kids (using the brush) and getting into it and forgetting all that stuff that was scaring them, it talks to you,” New Century Art Guild board member, Jim O’Keefe adds.

A movement started by a handful of guys, making a difference in veterans lives, one brush stroke at a time.

The Art Guild is undertaking a massive project. They’re planning on building a Living Liberties sculpture park that will feature up to 30 life size statues. These monuments will be dedicated to American servicemen and women who fought for our freedom. The price tag is hefty… 2.7 million dollars… and it will be funded mostly through private donations.