The Italian American Museum, the first museum dedicated to preserving
and presenting the cultural and social contributions of Italian
Americans to the American way of life, will honor three individuals
for their role as architects of the Italian American cultural
experience.
The awards will be presented at the Italian American Museum's
second Gala and Awards ceremony, to be held on Friday, April 11,
2003 at the Plaza Hotel, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
The event is being sponsored by the John D. Calandra Italian American
Institute of Queens College/The City University of New York (CUNY).
The honorees are:
Ambassador Charles A. Gargano, chairman,
Columbus Citizens Foundation and chairman,
Empire State Development Corporation, New York State
Joseph Maselli, founder and past president,
American Italian Renaissance Foundation and
co-founder, National Italian American Foundation
Baronessa Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimo, founder,
Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo at New York University
"The worldwide influence of the Italian heritage is immeasurable,"
says Joseph V. Scelsa, EdD, president and CEO of the Italian Museum.
"Our 2003 award recipients have led important cultural institutions,
and their work has had a major impact on cultural life experienced
not just by Italian Americans, but by all people who appreciate
Italian art and culture."
The award recipients will receive "La Bellissima America,"
a sculptural relief by artist Patrick Morelli.
Funds from the Gala and Awards ceremony will be used to locate
a permanent home for the Italian American Museum, which, through
the courtesy of CUNY, is in transitional residence at the John
D. Calandra Italian American Institute. The Italian American Museum
is an outgrowth of the highly acclaimed and much-visited exhibit,
"The Italians of New York: Five Centuries of Struggle and
Achievement," held at the New York Historical Society in
1999. As a cultural and educational institution, now provisionally
chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, the museum will
sponsor exhibitions, lectures, festivals and symposia dedicated
to informing the public about the heritage and contributions of
Italian Americans.
Its current exhibit, "Angelo Spinelli: Behind the Barbed
Wire," a collection of photos taken in captivity in a POW
Stalag, has been called "a national treasure." Members
of the Italian Museum Board are Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, President;
Philip Foglia, Esq., Executive Vice President; Robert Ciofalo,
Vice President and Treasure; Max Di Fabio, Vice President; Cav.
Maria Fosco, Vice President and Secretary; Ralph Tedesco, Vice
President; and Historical Advisor, Dr. Philip Cannistraro, Distinguished
Professor of Italian American Studies at CUNY
October 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of Caruso’s debut
at the Metropolitan. A debut that not only made him an international
star but also a remarkable role model and great source of pride
for the Italian immigrants. The Italian American Museum is proud
to present the exhibition, Caruso: The Life and Work of an Opera
Legend. Caruso’s career reminds us that America is a rich
soil from which all immigrants can become a success.
