A Legacy of Making is the title given to a series of exhibitions--three so far (a fourth is planned)--featuring the work of artists who are inspired by their Italian or Italian American culture. 


THE EXHIBIITIONS TO DATE


A Legacy of Making: Contemporary Artists Inspired by Thir 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

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, 


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

The first exhibition, A Legacy of Making: 21 Contemporary Italian American Artists, took place at the John D. Calandra Institute in Midtown Manhattan, running from September 2023 through the end of April 2024. I co-curated the exhibition with Joseph Sciorra, director of academic and cultural programs at the Institute, It featured 21 artists from the Italianità book. Talks, panel discussions, and an informal chat with the artists took place over the six-month run of the show. 


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 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.



 

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