November 12, 2016
Italian Heritage Commission Showcases New Jersey Artists
Italian American organization hosts presentations and exhibition at Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum
13th Annual Congress: “Showcasing New Jersey Artists”
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick NJ
November 12, 2016 2:30 – 7:30 P.M.
New Brunswick, NJ – On Saturday, November 12th, The New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission (NJIHC) hosted its 13th Annual Congress: “Showcasing New Jersey Artists” at Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum.
Italophiles and art aficionados from across the state, gathered to learn more about several of New Jersey’s most gifted Italian and Italian American visual artists: husband and wife filmmakers Marylou & Jerome Bongiorno, book artist Maria G. Pisano, watercolor artist James Fiorentino, and Italian folk life artist Andrea Cassar. The Commission also recognized the winners of NJIHC’s statewide high school student art contest for their work: 4th place Lizaveta Khrypkova, 3rd place Lily Drennan, 2nd place Jack Dreger, 1st place Melanie Cannizzo.
The audience had the opportunity to ask all the artists additional questions during a cocktail reception in the Zimmerli’s Lower Dodge Gallery, which featured heavy hors d’oeuvres from D’Angelo’s Italian Market and live musical entertainment. Guests had just enough time to view the artists’ exhibits and take a tour of the museum, before being called back to the lobby for dessert. The sweet conclusion to an artful evening was donated by Bindi Desserts and Ferrero USA.
NJIHC Chair Robert DiBiase viewed the evening as a “marvelous success.”
“The Commission’s programs strive to strengthen New Jersey’s vibrant Italian American community. NJIHC wants everyone, but especially our youth, to be excited to learn more about New Jersey’s rich Italian heritage.”
More information about the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission is available online at: www.NJItalianHeritage.org
