Karen Schifano
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A Legacy of Making: 26 Contemporary Artists Inspired by their Italian Heritage
12/30/2024
https://joannematteraartblog.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-legacy-of-making-at-connecticut.html
A Legacy of Making:
26 Contemporary Artists Inspired by Their Italian Heritage,
curated by Joanne Mattera
September 3 through October 19, 2024
Cummings Arts Center
Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Avenue, New London
The great wave of Italian immigration took place in the closing years of the 19th century and early into the 20th. Most of the arrivals were Southern Italians who set foot on Ellis Island with few belongings but with the ingenuity, creativity, and will to make a new life. Using their skills in carpentry, stonework, farming, mechanics, tailoring, needlework, and cooking, they created homes and communities that flourished and grew. Most remained in the Northeast within a day’s drive of where they landed. The tradition of creativity and handwork continues in the studios of their children and grandchildren. Painters and sculptors, printmakers and textile artists, they draw from the richness of Italian and Italian American culture, some producing work that speaks to tradition, others working more abstractly but personally informed by the language and customs that were, and are, so much a part of their lives. A few of the artists are immigrants themselves. All of them
synthesize Italian or immigrant culture with their experience as trained artists working in a contemporary art world.
The 26 participating artists are 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. Dominick Lombardi,
Lloyd (Maccarone) Martin, Joanne Mattera, Timothy (Macellari) McDowell, Patricia Miranda,
John Monti, Laura (Policella/Roccio) Moriarty, Carolanna Parlato, Anna Patalano, Don Porcaro,
Mary Schiliro, Karen Schifano, Denise Sfraga, and Lisa Zukowski.
September 3-October 19, 2024
Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Avenue, New London
Receptions: Saturday, September 14, 2:00-5:30, and Saturday, October 19, 4:00-5:30
The gallery is open Monday-Friday, 9:00-5:00; Saturday and Sunday, 1:00-4:00
"Fresh and Breezy", Metcalf Gallery, Taylor University, IND
12/30/2024
The Taylor University Art Department is hosting an exhibit of artists who specialize in contemporary art. Titled Fresh Teaser, the show is currently installed in Metcalf Gallery through December 8.
Fresh Teaser features the work of three artists who work, or have spent a significant time working in, New York City. Leah Tacha, Karen Schifano, and Jon Lutz provided works of art to Taylor University for the show.
“We’re excited for this opportunity in the Metcalf Gallery to bring their invigorating work to campus, to inform our practice as artists, and to grant perspective on contemporary art,” said Jeremie Riggleman, director of the Metcalf Gallery and Associate Professor of Art. “They are making thoughtful, transcendental work about the world around them as they live and move through the planet.”
A Legacy of Making: 21 Contemporary Italian American Artists
12/30/2024
Along with the series of exhibitions (of which this is the first), curated by Joanne Mattera and others at various instituions, there is a publication available on BookBaby: Italianità, Contemporary Art Inspired by the Italian Immigrant Experience, by Joanne Mattera, with essays and images by 59 artists.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/italianit%c3%a0
The richly illustrated book is also available on Amazon.com
The 
