L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 7 When Grasso felt he had expe- rienced everything he could with acting, he finally turned to paint and brush for a new way to express himself artistically. Inspired mainly by local artists he met throughout his travels, Grasso explains that his paint- ings are "more three-dimension- al and very colorful...I like this style of [art]." While his art may be coming to San Diego for the first time Passionate. If someone had to describe Italians in one word, that would be it. Italians are passionate. Whether it's about food or wine or art or life itself, Italians pour passion into the things they love and that passion shines through for the rest of the world to see. Perhaps that's why so many of the world's greatest artists are Italian; their passion for creating beauty - be it with pen and paper, paint and canvas or stone and chisel - makes their cre- ations impossible for the rest of the world to ignore. Sicilian-born artist Sebastiano Grasso is the embodiment of that kind of passion with his art- work. His first San Diego exhibition - "Mediterranean Reflections" - will open at Little Italy's Convivio Center on April 10 and will run through September. His artwork is primarily landscapes inspired by his hometown of Erice in the Sicilian province of Trapani as well as his time spent in Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and the High Desert. Grasso's style is described as a "simplistic style us[ing] a vari- ety of mediums including oil on canvas and mixed media assem- blage to demonstrate his faith in the power of whimsical and life affirming imagination." Art has always been a great love for Grasso, however paint- ing was not the first art medium he pursued. Grasso has lived in the United States a total of 14 years, hopscotching back and forth between Italy and the U.S. His first trip to the States took him to New York, where he tried his hand at acting and mod- eling. Grasso spent time in Rome, training in the Stanislavski method and performing at the Teatro dei Cocchi, Teatro Agora and Teatro degli Artisti as a stage actor. It was during his time with these theater compa- nies that he began studying art in workshops and practicing under the tutelage of local artisans. Sicilian artist Sebastiano Grasso brings the Mediterranean to the Pacific this month, he has had art shows in Los Angeles, Rome, Florence and Sicily. When asked what he loves so much about painting, Grasso said, "You close your mind and you're in your own world, your own fantasy, and you can just be yourself. You can just connect with yourself and it's almost a spiritual moment. When I look at my work, I want to feel the rela- tionship between wonder and distress that I thought I under- stood when I began the piece." "Mediterranean Reflections" opens at Convivio on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. with a launch party. Grasso will be in atten- dance to meet with the public and answer any questions about his work. While there is no charge for admission, Convivio does request that those interested in attending RSVP through their website. Appetizers and a no- host bar will be available. More information about Grasso and his exhibition is available on the Events page of Convivio's website at www.con- viviosociety.org. MIChELE PLuSS Sicilian artist Sebastiano Grasso will be launching his first San Diego show at Convivio on April 10 Grasso's vibrant, colorful artwork is inspired by the Mediterranean landscape of his native Sicily Apr. 6, Sun. - GranFondo San Diego at Little Italy at 7:15 a.m. in Little Italy under the Little Italy sign. The signature GranFondo San Diego returns to Little Italy for its sixth sea- son! Join thousands of avid cyclists and experience the Italian-inspired phenomenon while riding the GranFondo (105 miles) or the MedioFondo (60 miles). A timed King and Queen of the Mountain section will be offered with pri- zes awarded at the finish. Hurry to secure your registration now! For more information about the event and registration details, please visit http://www.littleitalysd.com/ events/master-calendar/ Apr. 10, Mon. - Sebastiano Grasso Art Opening at Convivio Center: Sicilian artist Sebastiano Grasso will be opening his first San Diego art show at Convivio Center (2157 India St., San Diego, CA 92101) at 7 p.m. Appetizers and no-host bar will be available. There is no charge for admission, however RSVP's are required via Convivio's website. More informa- tion is available at https://convivio.yapsody.com/event/ index/2153/sebastiano_grasso_art_opening. Apr. 10, Mon. - Screening of "Sciall! (Easy!)" by San Diego Italian Film Festival at La Paloma Theatre (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, CA 92024) 7 p.m. The comic and ten- der heart of this film beats loud and clear through the serious story it tells. In a subtle way it says a lot about life, about relationships, about appearances and about today's incredible changes in the structure of Italian life and the Italian family. And it does so with a beautifully sequenced script that keeps a smile on the viewer's face and stimulates much rueful lau- ghter. General Admission is $10; SDIFF Members, Students and Military is $8. More information is available at www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com Apr. 26 & 27, Wed. & Thurs. - ArtWalk @ Little Italy pre- sents the San Diego/Tijuana region's biggest art event for an audience of over 90,000. This free visual and performing art celebration is set along a scenic path through the char- ming neighborhood of Little Italy. It will be held on the side streets of India Street from 11:00am – 6:00p.m. both days. For more information visit, www.artwalksandiego.org

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