Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Presents Piccole Belle Cose: Small Beautiful Things 5/8

On Saturday, May 8 from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will host a free wine and cheese reception to celebrate "Piccole Belle Cose: Small Beautiful Things," the inaugural group exhibition of small works by members of the Italian-American Visual Artists' Network (IAVANET). A panel discussion, "The Italian-American Visual Artist-Living The Life," will follow from 6 p.m.-7.p.m. Participants will discuss what the choice of their life's work as artists has meant to them and their families.

Founded in 2007, IAVANET is a group of both well-known and emerging artists-painters, sculptors, photographers, graphic artists, designers, and installation artists-whose work ranges from pure abstraction to work that references various aspects of the Italian-American experience, including family life, pop culture and religious lore.

After the opening, "Piccole Belle Cose: Small Beautiful Things" can be seen during regular museum hours, Tuesday-Sunday from 1-5 p.m., with paid museum admission of $5, members are free. This show will close on July 3, 2010.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo. The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America.