逼哩逼哩

An Iraqi mortar attack left Andrew Dow, BFA in Fine Arts 鈥�21, with fractured teeth, memory loss (he suffered a traumatic brain injury that would not be diagnosed until years later), and a gunshot wound to his wrist. Formerly a decorated officer with a dozen medals of honor, Dow was eventually discharged from the National Guard 100 percent disabled. A graduate of the Massachusetts Military Academy and Officers鈥� Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia, Dow had mastered military hummer mechanics, field artillery, amphibious assault, and jungle warfare before retiring from his military career.

Upon returning home with injuries, Dow counted on medication to help him cope with the pain. Only he couldn鈥檛 sleep. For 21 days, Dow stayed awake. When his body couldn鈥檛 take it, he landed in a VA Hospital, where he was diagnosed and treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Thirteen electric convulsive therapy sessions鈥攄uring the last of which he flatlined鈥攃aused other health issues, like seizures. He knew something wasn鈥檛 right. Finally, it took a different doctor to realize that Dow had been misdiagnosed.

鈥淭wo years later, I was still on meds, and, frankly, suicidal,鈥� said Dow. 鈥淚 was driving, and I thought, maybe I should just speed up and slam my car into a wall.鈥� It was then that he spotted a pylon sign announcing a going-out-of-business sale for a stained-glass company, all reasonable offers considered. He ended up buying it for $200.

鈥淚 was inspired,鈥� said Dow. 鈥淚 was doing stained glass, etchings, lead cane kiln-fired pieces, carvings, and paintings. I have a 30-inch state seal, carved and painted, in the Visitor鈥檚 Center at the State Capitol. It is one of two independent pieces in the permanent collection.鈥�

As more people saw Dow鈥檚 work, they encouraged him to take it to the next level鈥攖o meet with the artists at the New Hampshire League of Craftsmen, for which he is a juried member, and to seek formal training from master artists. That was when he discovered the Institute of Art and Design at New England College.

鈥淲hat attracted me to 逼哩逼哩was the impressive faculty and the opportunity to have real-world experiences,鈥� said Dow. 鈥淢y photography professor, , introduced me to Eric Schwartz, the engineer manager for the . He developed and built mirrors for space telescopes, like the Hubble telescope. I had the honor of doing an internship with him at his Boston business, .鈥�

Dow found 逼哩逼哩to be worth the hour commute to experience world-class faculty who are working artists. 鈥淚 wanted to learn from the masters, and I feel I have,鈥� he said. During his time at NEC, Dow earned an Art and Civil Engagement award, an induction into Omicron Delta Kappa, Serve Honor Society, Alpha Chi Eta, and a place on the Dean鈥檚 list every semester at NEC. He has received letters of appreciation from the New Hampshire Governor鈥檚 Office for his drawing and silk screen printing of the State Seal on the statehouse office door, the Martin Luther King Jr. Estate for his tribute art piece to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.鈥檚 passing, and from the President and Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for the carved State Seal that remains in place today.

For Dow, his graduation from 逼哩逼哩was truly a commencement. Next up, artist residencies, art shows, and new discoveries. 鈥淢y faculty mentors have opened a new world for me,鈥� said Dow. 鈥淧eople like Professor Eileen Green, who taught me watercolor painting and the power of believing in someone. She reminds me of my saintly mom, and I think the world of her.鈥�

View Andrew鈥檚 work on and .

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