The Breath of Spirit

TUCSON, Ariz. – A second painting by artist Carlos Serbia of Bethel, Conn., has been accepted into the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Art Collection. Now in its 19th year, the Collection features artwork by people from across the country with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

“The Breath of the Spirit” is a colorful, flowing, abstract acrylic-on-canvas expression of “the power of a positive outlook and the connection between soul and spirit,” says Serbia,46. “Giving up is not an option because as long as we are alive everything is possible and this is when the breath of the spirit comes to play.”

Serbia has Becker muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disease characterized by generalized weakness and atrophy that begins in the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders.

Serbia, who has college degrees in business administration, marketing and computer information systems, has been painting professionally since 2007. As a child, he pursued art studies at the Liga de Arte de San Juan in Puerto Rico. For the most part he is a self-taught artist, and is a percussionist and poet, as well.

Serbia’s art has been recognized in a number of ways. For example, renowned percussionist Carlos Gomez features Serbia’s painting “The Sensuality of Music” on the cover his CD “New Paradigm Global Music.” Amano Chocolate, an award-winning manufacturer of fine chocolate, licenses one of Serbia’s paintings in the packaging of its Ocumare Grand Dark Chocolate.

Many of Serbia’s works can be seen on and purchased from his online gallery ( www.carlosserbia.com), as well as his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/artistserbia), which also includes his poetry and motivational thoughts.

“We’re pleased to welcome Carlos Serbia’s work into the permanent MDA Art Collection,” MDA President & CEO Gerald Weinberg said. “The emotion and power of ‘The Breath of the Spirit’ undoubtedly will be inspiring for all those who see it.”

The latest addition by Serbia is on display at MDA’s national headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., and can be seen at mda.org/about/community-programs/art-collection.

The Collection was established in 1992 to focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities and to emphasize that physical disability is no barrier to creativity.

It comprises some 380 works by artists age 2 to 84, representing all 50 states. Each artist is affected by one of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases in MDA’s program.

Selected art from the Collection has been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art; Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center and the Forbes Collection in New York City; Chicago Public Library; Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art; Los Angeles Children's Museum; Capital Children's Museum, Washington, D.C.; and many other sites.

For Bethel-area adults and children affected by diseases in its program, MDA maintains a clinic at White Plains Hospital and Medical Center, White Plains, N.Y.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.