Victor Mercado has lived many lives, but his hands have always guided him and as he often says, "my tools are my toys" with memories from his
childhood in Puerto Rico. Creating was simply part of who he was. At age 19, he began a new life in New Jersey and after moving from place to place
he settled in Miami, Florida, 50 years ago.
During many years of hardship his spirit was tested, and during that time he discovered wood carving in a serious way. He found something that could
give him purpose. He created many of his own tools and worked with any materials he could find. Slowly he turned carving into a source of purpose and pride.
In 2015 his vision began to fade leaving his right eye almost completely gone and his left eye with about 40 percent vision due to cataracts and a
progressive condition that causes growing blind spots. His doctor referred him to Miami Lighthouse for the Blind where another chapter of his life began.
As an Independent Living Older Blind client, Victor now attends classes in orientation and mobility, home and personal management, and recreation and
leisure learning skills that help him move confidently, care for himself, continue creating despite vision loss, and he is preparing to join the
Senior Group Health and Activities (SGA) Art Program full time once his training is completed.
At the Lighthouse, his talent quickly stood out with Victor specializing in landscapes, seascapes, and still life while also working in copper,
metal antique cars, jewelry, and even guitars, and he still prefers to make his own tools rather than buy them. He uses wood like basswood,
white pine, and poplar that he knows by touch. Through Recreation and Leisure and the SGA Program he has been entered into multiple competitions,
won awards including Arts for All and APH, and sold several pieces through the Lighthouse gallery.
"Victor has an incredible eye for detail, even with limited vision," says Daliany Camacho, Senior Group Health and Activities Program Manager.
"He feels the art before he sees it, and that makes his work powerful and honest." Carol Brady-Simmons, Chief Program Officer, adds,
"Victor brings patience and heart to the art he creates, and you can see how much love he puts into every piece." Aaron Hill, Supervisor of
Fine Arts and Art Education, who has placed Victor's work in exhibitions and contests, says, "The moment I saw his carvings, I knew they needed to
be shared. His story and his skill inspire everyone around him."
For Victor, carving wood is more than a craft, it is relaxing, a source of pride, and a way to create something meaningful. He says simply,
"When you finish something, you're proud of it. You made something real." Just as important is the community he has found, and he describes the
Lighthouse by saying, "The people here are easy to get along with. I'm comfortable here." Victor does not wish to return to Puerto Rico,
a place tied to difficult memories, and instead he is focused on the future he is building in Miami, one class and one carving at a time.
At 80 years old, Victor Mercado is defined not by the challenges he has faced or by vision loss, but by what he creates, by the steady
movement of his hands, and by the belief that it is never too late to begin again.
