Calabi Gallery

Having never been comfortable with the Facebook platform, it has become increasingly clear that Zuckerberg has embraced full on fascism and we can no longer participate in this platform, as it is unacceptable. So this will be our last post.

If you've enjoyed following us and viewing our posts, we will at least for the time being continue posting on Instagram. While under the same ownership, it seems overall less toxic, but we'll just have to see where it goes from here.

Onward and upward, friends.

Image: "Corporate Cookie Jar" 2009 Woodcut by Art Hazelwood

"Two Birds" 1949
Sam Provenzano (1923-1999)
Watercolor
10 x 13

https://calabigallery.com/artists/sam-provenzano/

Happy Birthday to Elio Benvenuto!

Elio Benvenuto (1914-1991) was a master sculptor and artist versed in a range of mediums. Elio was born into a family of traditional stone carvers, marble workers and artists in Pietrasanta, Lucca, Italy, of Tuscan, Ligurian, and Sardinian descent. He began training as an apprentice at 11, then studied in Genoa and Florence.

An active Partisan during WWII Italy and mayor of Pietrasanta during the rebuilding effort, Elio immigrated to San Francisco postwar re-joining his wife, painter and textile craft artist Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto and family, where he soon became an influential figure in the mid-century arts movement.

A skilled teacher, beloved mentor and cultural leader, Elio was instrumental in establishing important San Francisco arts infrastructure and founded the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, co-founded the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, and was Director of the vibrant SFAC Annual Arts Festival.

Elio Benvenuto's incredible work is currently featured in our GRUPPO DI QUATTRO exhibition with Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Sam Provenzano. The exhibition has been extended through January 2025.

https://calabigallery.com/gruppo-di-quattro-reception-saturday-october-26th-3-7pm/

"Santa Lucia" circa 1962
Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto (1913-2009)
Textile Craft
34 x 14-1/2

Join us TODAY for our Holiday Celebration from 3-7pm!

The fantastic Duo Pizzicato will be playing and singing Italian songs, and Italian refreshments will be served.

Special note: The City of Santa Rosa is offering free parking in the garages on Saturdays through New Years Day. The 7th Street Parking Garage is conveniently located right behind the gallery, accessible from 7th Street or Healdsburg Avenue.

We hope to see you this afternoon!

"Untitled" circa 1950s
Elio Benvenuto (1914-1991)
Stone
22-1/2 x 6 x 4

“Untitled” 1952
Sam Provenzano (1923-1999)
Oil on Canvas
26 x 32

"Red House" circa 1950
Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto (1913-2009)
Oil on Canvas Board
27-1/2 x 21-3/8

"Untitled (Falling)" 1992
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021)
Monoprint
30-1/4 x 22-1/4

"Untitled" 1978
Elio Benvenuto (1914-1991)
Painted & Glazed Ceramic
6-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 4-1/2

SAVE THE DATE 📣

Holiday Celebration : Saturday, December 14th 3-7pm

Please join us at the gallery for a festive holiday celebration on Saturday, December 14th from 3-7pm. To go along with the Italian theme of our current show, we will be featuring the fantastic Duo Pizzicato playing and singing Italian songs. Italian refreshments will be served.

GRUPPO DI QUATTRO features San Francisco Italian American artists Elio Benvenuto, Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Sam Provenzano, who were all Modernists in the second half of the 20th century, each with their own distinct styles. Pivotal figures of their time, these artists all played an important part in the foundation and blossoming of the arts in Post War San Francisco. This exhibition features paintings, prints, works on paper, sculptures and textile craft by these influential artists. GRUPPO DI QUATTRO will be extended into January 2024.

Artwork: “Untitled” 1953 by Sam Provenzano (1923-1999) Oil on Canvas, 30 x 36

"Lipari" 1966
Elio Benvenuto (1914-1991)
Acrylic on Canvas
37-1/2 x 45-1/2

https://calabigallery.com/artists/elio-benvenuto/