City of Crestview recently issued the following announcement.
A lively, colorful exhibit of works inspired by Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy” opened at the Crestview Public Library Friday night to applause, Italian food and, more importantly, an opportunity for area residents to experience old and new artwork from Italy.
The Italian and American cultures shared in inspiring the “Diving into Comedy” exhibit, which first opened in November at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College. Panels reproduced from etchings at Florence, Italy’s, famous Uffizi Gallery inspired complementary interpretations done in the American quilting tradition by Italian artists.
Friday evening, Italian Air Force and naval officers from the Eglin Air Force Base contingent, and their families, mingled with Crestview residents including city leaders and area students as they learned about each other’s interests and experiences, noshed Italian food from Vitaliano restaurant, and enjoyed drinks and desserts provided by the Crestview Sons of Italy chapter.
A gelato bar set up by Tricolore, a local support group for families of the Italian military members, was a big hit with younger art lovers, who dug in with gusto as they experienced the creamy, smooth traditional Italian ice cream, produced at a gelateria in Fort Walton Beach.
“We are so honored to welcome our Italian friends and this beautiful exhibit to our library,” youth librarian Heather Nitzel said. “We hope all of our patrons take advantage of this opportunity to see this beautiful art.”
Tricolore leader, Nunzia Scialpi, a driving force behind the exhibit creation, presented Mayor JB Whitten with a handsome crystal recognition of his support for the city’s cultural life in helping bring “Diving into Comedy” to Crestview, while the mayor in turn presented his mayoral coin to Mrs. Scialpi’s husband, Col. Daniele Mastroberti, the leader of the local Italian forces.
The free exhibit of 44 panels is also presented by the Crestview Cultural Services Division and the Crestview Public Library and is available for viewing in the library’s Quiet Café during regular opening hours through March 11.
Original source can be found here.
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