In the impressive setting of the Palais Metternich, the Italian Embassy in Vienna, the artist Lucia Riccelli received a special honor. The Italian Ambassador Giovanni Pugliese presented her, on behalf of the President of the State Sergio Mattarella, with the honor "Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia" (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy).

This award, known as the "Order of the Star of Italy," represents the second highest civilian honor of the country and is awarded to both Italian and foreign citizens who have distinguished themselves abroad in promoting friendly and cooperative relations between Italy and other nations.

It is particularly noteworthy that Lucia Riccelli was also chosen by Federal President Alexander van der Bellen to paint his portrait for the Presidential Gallery at the Vienna Hofburg. Congratulations on this outstanding recognition!

"Education with an artistic nougat touch: Zotter chocolate for "100 Years of Caritas" presented to benefit the Learning Cafés - Tom Lohner designed the cover image

It tastes like nougat and helps with learning: A special edition of Zotter chocolate featuring an image by Graz artist Tom Lohner adds a special note to the 100th anniversary of Caritas Styria. Caritas Director Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler has now presented the anniversary chocolate together with chocolatier Josef Zotter, the artist Tom Lohner who designed the cover image, and SPAR as the distribution partner.

Fifty cents from each bar sold go to the Styrian Learning Cafés. The exquisite composition is now available at all Styrian Spar, Eurospar, and Interspar markets as well as at Carla and Zotter. Graz artist Tom Lohner created an image for the design of the bar titled "An Angel Lies Within Each of Us." Spar and Zotter donate 25 cents each from every bar sold to the campaign "Styrians Help Styrians" by Kleine Zeitung.

This supports the Caritas Learning Cafés, where children from disadvantaged families receive help with learning. At nine locations, supervisors and volunteers support around 280 children with their learning, homework, and preparation for exams. Additionally, they also snack, craft, and play together. Ninety-nine percent of the children successfully complete their respective school year and go on strengthened into the future. Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, Director of Caritas Styria: "A good life for everyone – that is what we aim to achieve at Caritas. In our work, we deal more with the bitter aspects of life.

Josef Zotter now shows with the anniversary chocolate that helping can also bring a sweet note into life. Tom Lohner has created a subject that impressively represents the human capacity for good – a powerful, motivating image! And our distribution partner Spar ensures that we come a step closer to our goal of coming into contact with as many people as possible. Many thanks to them all and to Styrians Help Styrians for making this possible together."

Josef Zotter, Chocolatier and Innovator: "Caritas is a very important institution that enables quick help for people in need and for many, it is an anchor amid helplessness, despair, and isolation. The facilities of Caritas are important meeting points in many situations. With the special edition '100 Years of Caritas,' we also want to support the projects of Caritas. For us, maximizing humanity is probably our greatest gain."

Christoph Holzer, Managing Director of SPAR Styria: "This year we celebrate 70 years of SPAR and are proud to be able to offer this special chocolate comprehensively throughout the entire state, thus also doing good in the 100-year existence of Caritas Styria. For each chocolate sold, SPAR and Zotter donate 0.50 euros to the Caritas Learning Cafés in Styria."

Tom Lohner, Artist: "May this artwork contribute to igniting a wave of generosity and humanity that shapes our world for the coming years and moves the hearts of many to discover and live the power of neighborly love."

Photo credit: Andreas Prückler (Kleine Zeitung), Tom Lohner, Richard Kaufmann (SPAR), Caritas Director Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, Josef Zotter, and Thomas Spann (Kleine Zeitung) at the presentation of the 100-Year Chocolate in the studio of artist Tom Lohner (© Stefan Pajman)"

A painting by Asma Kocjan was auctioned for the benefit of the Styrian Cancer Aid in Leibnitz for 3000 euros!

We are pleased to represent the German artist Sebastian Krüger in Austria and are starting with great positions that are just coming to us from the Caricature Museum Krems! The Sokol Prize winner Krüger is also recognized as an artist by individuals he once admired. People who have used their unique talents in acting, music, or any other art form to delight and uplift audiences around the world. And now, some of his original artworks are in the hands of those who have themselves delighted and inspired him and others. These include Stan Winston, Sylvester Stallone, Steven Spielberg, Robert Rodriguez, Slash, Axl Rose, Steven Tyler, and even the former CEO of Nike, Mark Parker, to name a few.

Lewis Blake handed over a painting of Schladming / Planai commissioned by Helmut Konrad of K1 Kunstforum to Renate Götschl, the President of the Styrian Ski Association, during the Nightrace in Schladming. The painting, in the typical Lewis Blake style, will soon be auctioned and the proceeds will benefit young Styrian ski talents

On Monday, January 8th, the ceremonial conclusion of the acquisition of cargo-partner by NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. took place at the Vienna Hofburg. We thank you for the invitation and look forward to collaborating at the Expo 2025 in Osaka!

What a year for our Art-Photographer Wolfgang Gangl! Here in order the awards he won in 2023:

1. 12.2023 - SILVER MEDAL "Eleonore" - New York Photography Award
2. 11.2023 - SILVER MEDAL "Sliced" - "bifa" Budapest International Photo
3. Award
4. 09.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Sliced" - International Photography AwardNew York
5. 08.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "hidden" - Federal Award of Professional Photographers Austria
6. 08.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Almira" - Federal Award of Professional Photographers Austria
7. 06.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Almira" - WKO Styrian professional photographers award
8. 06.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "hidden" - WKO Styrian professional photographers award
9. 06.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Out of the dark" - WKO Styrian professional photographers award
10. 06.2023 - Bronze Badge "Leonie" - WPE Worldcup International Photography
11. 06.2023 - Gold Badge & Second Place Fashion & Beauty "Excalibur" - WPE Worldcup International Photography
12. 05.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Excalibur" - Best Photography Award
13. 05.2023 - GOLD MEDAL "Excalibur" - London Photography Awards 05.2023 - SILVER MEDAL "Cloudy" Black & White Fotosalon #2 Foto Objektiv/ÖVF
14. 05.2023 - SILVER MEDAL "Onna Musha" Fotosalon #2 Foto Objektiv/ÖVF
15. 04.2023 SILVER MEDAL "Excalibur" ONE Eyeland Awards 2023
16. 04.2023 SILVER MEDAL "Excalibur" Fine Art Photo Awards 2023
17. 04.2023 SILVER CAMERA "Excalibur/Escape BNW/Hidden" FEP Federation of European Professional Photographers
18. 03.2023 "Photographer of the Year 2022" Award - Austrian Modelbusiness
19. 03.2023 SILVER MEDAL "Excalibur" Fotosalon #1 Foto Objektiv/ÖVF

This painting was auctioned live on ORF for the benefit of Licht ins Dunkel on December 10, 2023, for 22,000 euros! After Tom Lohner has already completed projects for "Licht ins Dunkel" with Marcel Hirscher and David Alaba, this year again features a global star who will develop a personal painting with Tom. This time, the Graz-based artist will create a visually strong as well as very personal painting together with the slalom and giant slalom world champion Henrik Kristoffersen from the Van Deer Red Bull Sports Team. The painting of Henrik Kristoffersen joins an exceptional portrait series by the artist Tom Lohner, which ranges from Lady Gaga and Tiger Woods to Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, and Vivienne Westwood. Lohner himself is considered one of the great rising stars of the international art scene and runs the largest Urban & Contemporary Gallery, the Bakerhouse Gallery in Graz, with his manager Klaus Billinger. Works by the Graz artist have been exhibited at the Vienna MuseumsQuartier, as well as at the Context Art Fair at Art Basel in Miami and at Art Austria Vienna. The painting shows the ski star in the midst of a slalom race descent, with the finish/the certain victory just a few meters ahead. His energetic gaze is focused, and the motto "No Risk - no Fun" is embedded in his race suit. The connection between Norway and Austria is united in a specially designed flag, which partly wraps around his racing pants but also subtly incorporates his VanDeer - RedBull skis. Besides the numerous hidden details, the work also visualizes what can be achieved with pure energy, motivation, and joy: Because nothing is impossible!"

We will present the Tom Lohner Art BMW on December 1st as part of the Christmas exhibition. This X1 is a collaboration between Tom Lohner, Autohaus Reiterer, and Unite Designs!

Urban Pop Art in XXL format! Towering paintings and surprising art installations: The 'Center West Gallery' opens with the internationally renowned artist Lewis Blake in Graz (OTS) In Graz, an entire shopping center is transformed into a unique art gallery featuring Urban Pop Art in XXL format—and permanently: The Center West, the largest shopping center in the city, now surprises its visitors with oversized art, ceiling-hanging paintings, and mobile installations that will appear in different locations within the mall. The kickoff is made by the internationally known London artist Lewis Blake, who lives in Graz, with a total of 14 of his works, displayed in an impressive size of up to 7 by 3 meters. In collaboration with the Graz-based Bakerhouse Gallery, the new 'Center West Gallery' will regularly showcase new Styrian artists, initially on a semi-annual basis. Thus, Center West now sports a vibrant Urban Pop Art look. For the premiere in the 'Center West Gallery,' London painter Lewis Blake, who found his new home in Graz since 2019, takes the stage. He was trained by the famous artist Damien Hirst and his work is influenced by documentary photography, architecture, and graphic design. His paintings explore buildings and landmarks, which he interprets in new and lively ways. He aims to encourage people with his art to see the depicted objects in a different light and appreciate them anew. Since moving to Austria, local buildings and landmarks of Styria, as well as mountain landscapes, have also influenced his artworks. At the Center West exhibition, the Graz Clock Tower deliberately appears multiple times.