Karel Dahmen (now 97-years-old) is longtime volunteer at Casa Marianella. He is from the Netherlands and is an absolute hero there. He also had a corporate career in the US. Karel is a philanthropist and is interested in the arts, education, peace, and justice. He still works a Casa food shift every week and has created art for Casa, as well!

Read more about Karel’s life story here

Check out this amazing story about Karel and the lifeboat 

Here is an article about Karel flying back home to be honored 

and…

A news story about his reunion with the Jewish students he helped save

Karel painted the first panel of the Casa mural:

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He also did a water color painting for the 30th Anniversary Wendler Event:

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Here is a watercolor painting of Casa’s patio for the cover of Casa’s 2014 Casa newsletter, and used again for the 2015 Wendler Event invitation:

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We invite you to attend an Art Bazaar in recognition of Karel Dahmen this Saturday! 

There will be local art vendors, music, light food, drinks, and a silent auction of Casa Marianella inspired art. The event will take place November 12th, 2016 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at at board member Heather Dennison’s house (13310 Gene Allan Road, Austin, TX 78727). A portion of art sales will benefit Casa Marianella. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of fun while supporting Casa’s mission!

We also have lots of great stories about Karel, including his work in helping our ESL teachers! Karel loves the arts. Speaking of the arts, our very own ESL teacher (also an AmeriCorps Literacy First leader) Johnathan Salinas will perform in The Flying Dutchman also this Saturday Nov. 12 at 7:30PM at the Long Center. We suspect that Karel may be attending and we hope to see you there as well:

http://austinopera.org/event/theflyingdutchman/