A Legacy of Making is the title given to a series of exhibitions that I have curated (or co-curated), each featuring the work of artists who are inspired by their Italian or Italian American culture.
Far wall: Grace DeGennaro; continuing clockwise: Hugo Rizzoli, Roberta Tucci, Lloyd Martin, Mark Wethli; right wall: Robert Maloney, Grace Roselli; foreground pedestal: Thomas Micchelli
A Legacy of Making: Contemporary Artists Inspired by Their Italian Heritage, Part 2
Carney Gallery, Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts, February 22-May 10, 2025
Participating artists: Joe Cultrera, Grace DeGennaro, Michaelangelo Giaquinto, Aldo Longo, Lloyd Martin, Thomas Micchelli, Robert (Steriti) Maloney, Wayne Montecalvo, Hugo Rizzoli, Grace Roselli, Roberta Tucci, Mark Wethli, Carleen Zimbalatti. This is my third solo curation in the series.
You can view a walk-through of the exhibition here
A Legacy of Making: Contemporary Artists Inspired by Their Italian Heritage, Part 1
Carney Gallery, Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts, September 28-December 21, 2024
Participating artists: Brian Alterio, B. Amore, John Avelluto, Jeanne Brasile, Jennifer Cecere, Debra (Messina) Claffey, Claudia DeMonte, Cianne Fragione, Milisa Galazzi, Joanne Mattera, Timothy (Macellari) McDowell, Tracy Spadafora, and Charyl (Urbano) Weissbach. This is my second solo curation in the series.
With thanks to gallery director Kelly Blasberg and professor Julia Lisella
You can view a walk-through of the exhibition here
Below: View into the gallery with a suspended work by Jennifer Cecere
A Legacy of Making: 26 Contemporary Artists Inspired by Their Italian Heritage
Cummings Gallery, Connecticut College, New London, through October 19, 2024
Participating artists: B. Amore, John Avelluto, Nancy Azara, Angelica Bergamini, Gianluca Bianchino, Jennifer Cecere, Chris Costan, Elisa D'Arrigo, Claudia DeMonte, Paul Fabozzi, Milisa Galazzi, Diana González Gandolfi, D. Dominic Lombardi, Lloyd Martin, Joanne Mattera, Timothy (Macellari) McDowell, Patricia Miranda, John Monti, Laura (Roccio/Policella) Moriarty, Carolanna Parlato, Anna Patalano, Don Porcaro, Karen Schifano, Mary Schiliro, Denise Sfraga, Lisa Zukowski. This is my first solo curation in the series.
You can view a walk-through of the exhibition here
Below: View into the gallery with a painting by John Avelluto on the facing wall
Click here for a walk-through of the exhibition.
Below: Panorama from the hallway as you peer through the Calandra Institute's glass wall.
The project began as a website, became a book, and is now asserting itself in exhibition form. I am the curator of the entire project, with the enthusiastic participation of many talented artists whose roots are in the homeland. We draw from our immigrant culture, indeed from all of Italian culture, and continue the legacy in our studios, reinventing it as American art.
My primary practice is as a painter, but the time for this project seemed right. Despite the ravings of a lunatic former (and, sadly, current) president, immigrants and their offspring make valuable contributions to our American culture. I selected these artists from my book, Italianità: Contemporary Art Inspired by the Italian Immigrant Experience. At a time when ethnicity and cultural legacy are part of the art world conversation, we are proud to make a relevant contribution.