Join us for our 3rd annual Veteran Appreciation and Open House Event!
New Century Art Guild will salute veterans at its 3rd Annual Open House and Veteran Appreciation event on Sunday, November 2nd from 2:00pm to 8:30pm in Kimballton, IA.
This year’s open house will be a carnival theme that will feature army vehicle rides, face painting, temporary tattoos, caricature artist, carnival games, and chili cook-off. Begining at 2:00p.m., two art galleries on Kimballton’s Main Street will be open to the public to offer a tasting of local wines and a chance to view veterans’ artwork, including that of US Army veteran Roberta “Bert” Leaverton.
A chili cook-off will be held at the Cottonwood Barn at 5:30pm. Chili and games may be paid for with tickets sold at the door for $1 apiece. Chili cooks will be vying for top prizes, to be determined by the most tickets they collect. Proceeds will go to fund NCAG’s student and veteran art scholarships. Entertainment will be provided by the widely popular singing-duo the “Polka Police”. Other attractions include kegs of craft beer, an old fashioned cake walk, a bonfire (weather permitting) and barn dance. This is a family-friendly event and open to the public.
Prepare to get your taste buds fired-up for this year’s chili-cook off!
The rural town of Kimballton, IA, located approximately midway between Omaha and Des Moines, is the headquarters of New Century Art Guild. The guild was co-founded by local residents Billy Marples and Dr. Scott Smith, both veterans, and Omaha artist Troy Muller. The guild’s mission is to promote career development of emerging and established artists with special attention to the needs of military families and of veterans seeking to make new careers in the creative arts.
For more information contact NCAG President Dr. Scott Smith at (712) 249-2184
New Century Art Guild is co-sponsoring an exhibition of Veteran Art Work at Metro’s Fort Omaha campus. For more information call Robert Caldwell at 402-457-2700 (Metro’s main switchboard #).
Unforgetting Iraq: In Search of Recovery will highlight, through art from both Iraqi and American artists, the aftermath of the Iraq war. This collection will use images that to speak to our capacity as humans to recover from the traumatic and devastating war in Iraq. The medium of art will be used to foster a dialogue between our two cultures in order to respectfully address sensitive but important issues. The exhibition will also serve as a touchstone to veterans and active duty servicemen and women of the US Armed Forces, including their families, by offering a chance to reflect upon the war and assist in the healing of emotional wounds.
New Century Art Guild Galleries:
Kimballton, Iowa 10 miles north of I-80 at Exit 54
On March 22, 2014, New Century Art Guild is honored to host an artist-talk by artist/veteran Mario Lopez from Bandera, Texas. Mario is the winner of NCAG’s 2014 Veteran Artist Grant. He will give an inspiring talk about his journey as a soldier, family-man, minister and artist. The gallery will open at 5:00pm. A full, delicious catered dinner will be served at 6:00pm!
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 40 percent of his body and lost his right arm, right ear, right eye and most of the fingers on his left hand.
Lopez said his recovery has been hard, but he knows things could have been a lot worse. Despite his injuries, he has become an accomplished artist. “I started doing artwork as a child and really loved it,” he said. “When I had my son and daughter at a young age, I put the paintbrush down for a while to support my family.” Lopez has since picked up the brush again, this time with his left hand.
Mario 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. 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. I thank God everyday for my friends and family and the talent and abilities He has given me.”
Veteran/Artist Mario Lopez
ORDER TICKETS ONLINE:
Tickets may be purchased online using PayPal. Just click on the yellow “Donate” button below. Tickets are $20 per person with NCAG membership ($25 per person without current membership)
Unforgetting Iraq: In Search of Recovery will highlight, through art from both Iraqi and American artists, the aftermath of the Iraq war. This collection will use images that to speak to our capacity as humans to recover from the traumatic and devastating war in Iraq. The medium of art will be used to foster a dialogue between our two cultures in order to respectfully address sensitive but important issues. The exhibition will also serve as a touchstone to veterans and active duty servicemen and women of the US Armed Forces, including their families, by offering a chance to reflect upon the war and assist in the healing of emotional wounds.
NCAG Gallery hours for May 24-26, 2014 Memorial Day Weekend (Tivoli Fest): Galleries open Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 12pm-4pm, Mon. 9am- 5pm
Veterans learn art of hand-made paper.Veterans making “combat paper”Veterans learn about music and songwriting.Veterans make sand painting.The completed sand mandala.
NEW CAREERS, NEW POSSIBILITIES, NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ARTISTS AND VETERANS
