For one week, the echoing halls of
Palagio di Parte Guelfa will be home to the work of women artists from America
who have chosen Florence as their creative home.
Located just behind piazza della Repubblica, the
thirteenth-century palace, with architectural features by both Brunelleschi and
Vasari, will open its doors for an exhibition, American Contemporary Art in
Florence, from May 5 to 11 (9am to 6:30pm).
The American artists represented in this eclectic
group exhibition explore genres and media ranging from photographs and painting
(realistic portraiture, expressionist landscapes, abstracts and still-lifes) to
monumental sculptures in terracotta and ceramics.
Supported by the American Consulate, the Municipality
of Florence and Association of American College and University Programs in
Italy, the exhibit is one of the many events developed by the Amerigo and
America Committee to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Florentine explorer
Amerigo Vespucci (see www.vespucci2012.com).
The exhibit brings together, for the first time, the
artist-members of three English-language women’s groups in Florence. The
American International League, the Women’s International Network and the Young
Anglo Women’s Network focus, respectively, on solidarity, social networking and
social support.
Thus, not surprisingly, as part of an initiative
organized by Elaine Poggi’s Healing Photo Art Foundation (see TF 161), 15 of
the photographers featured will be donating their works to Florentine and
American hospitals after the show, a gesture linking Tuscany and the United
States.
For sculptor Karen Shannon, the brief show has
far-reaching significance: ‘As American women artists working in Florence, we
absorb the local culture and transform it into art work. In this exhibition, we
have become a true force, coming together as active participants in the
community’s cultural life.’
