Neil Capozzi at Stuart Art Supply and Artist’s Nook Studio, is ready to celebrate 40 years of the Martin Arts Council support of the arts and cultural scene! This fete is February 1, 2020, so it’s time to prepare by decorating a Venetian mask. Don’t wait – call Neil to reserve a mask! They’re due back by October 1, allowing snowbirds and locals time to explore your creativity! The Rickie Report shares the details and some peeks at some masks that have already been returned! The masks will be auctioned off at the “Carnevale di mARTin – A Masquerade”, with proceeds being used for Arts Councils programs including the development of a new cultural center in Stuart! We can’t wait to see what you create!
Stuart Art Supply & Artists’ Nook Studio
43 SE Kindred Street Stuart, FL 34990
Neil Capozzi tells The Rickie Report, “As you know, the arts are an important part of this community and I strive to be active member in providing a quality experience in art materials, art education and community involvement. I’m offering another opportunity for artists to showcase their talents this year. The Arts Council is having a milestone anniversary in 2020. We will be celebrating 40 years of supporting the arts in Martin County. We will be kicking off the year long celebration with a gala. The theme of the gala is “Carnevale di mARTin – A Masquerade”. The gala is Saturday, February 1st 2020. I am asking all artists to participate in this event by painting a Venetian Mask and I will be collecting them and donating them to the Arts Council. Our goal is to sell them to the attendees of the gala. Blank masks are available from Stuart Art Supply for you to explore your creativity”.
Our 1st Masks have been completed.
Neil explains, “The mask painting project has been well received and I have over 40 out being painted at the moment. Since I need the masks back by October 1 there is still an opportunity for our “snowbirds” to participate. You just need to send them back by October 1st. The sooner I get them back the sooner we can begin promoting the 2020 Gala. The masks can represent the style of the artist or the traditional venetian festival. It’s up to you, the artist”.
Stuart Art Supply has several blanks to choose from. Neil will be ordering more as we gather the masks for this event in February 2020
Venetian Mask History: The graceful, rounded half-mask of the Colombina mask express the enchanting femininity the Commedia dell’Arte figure of the same name radiates when she steps across the stage. Colombina means “little dove,” but with their sweeping form, splendid colors, and elaborate ornament, our Colombina masks can help you become a “bird of paradise!”
Venetian masks have a long history of protecting their wearer’s identity. Made for centuries in Venice, these distinctive masks were made out of papier-mache and wildly decorated with fur, fabrics, gem and feathers. Eventually, Venetian masks emerged as the emblem of Carnevale a pageant and street fair celebrating hedonism. Additionally, the masks served an important social purpose of keeping every citizen on an equal playing field. Masked, a servant could be mistaken for a nobleman—or vice versa. State inquisitors and spies could question citizens without fear of their true identity being discovered and citizens could answer without fear of retribution. The morale of the people was maintained through the use of masks—for with no faces, everyone had voices.
Mask wearing became forbidden in 1797, so the venetian masks, along with the carnival masks and masquerade ball masks vanished completely. This continued until the early ’80s, when a group of venetian architecture students began to revive this ancient and long tradition. Since then, the carnival of Venice has turned to be again one of the most important and most beautiful in the world.
SAVE THE DATES:
APRIL 5 & 6
SPRING CLEANING DAYS
9 am- 5pm
NOW THAT THE WINTER SEASON IS COMING TO A CLOSE COME IN AND CHECK OUT THE CLEARANCE.
WE’LL HAVE ROCK BOTTOM PRICES ON PAPER, CANVAS, BRUSHES, AND PAINTS.
ITEMS FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS
Check Out The Classes/Workshops Here:
For more information about art supplies, art classes, or the opportunity to conduct art classes:
Stuart Art Supply & Artists’ Nook Studio
43 SE Kindred Street Stuart, FL 34990
MONDAY – FRIDAY 10 AM – 5 PM
SATURDAY 10 AM – 3 PM
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Rickie Leiter, Publisher
17019 SW Sapri Way Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
