Last Chance: Zullo Gallery Calls on Artists to Depict Their Roots

The is recruiting artists to enter a May juried exhibit with artwork that reflects any aspect of their personal cultural legacy, whether family heritage, lessons or experiences learned from previous generations, or stories from the past.

The deadline for entries is April 4.

The Zullo is focusing on the influence of heritage and intergenerational experiences on visual arts in partnership with the launch of its first “one-town, one-book” selection of Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky. The nonfiction book tells the story of a young Massachusetts man's project to gather Yiddish books turns into a far-reaching mission to help preserve a dying culture. As he picks up books from an older generation of immigrants, he hears stories of family, homeland, politics, religion, language and art.

For Nancy Deveno, a professional artist and art teacher at and schools, is a strong believer in the influence that family and childhood experiences can have on one’s artistic expression.

“My parents are Americans who were stationed in Germany during the post-war redevelopment. My mom was a lieutenant army nurse, and my dad was in the infantry later involved with the setting up of power for the Nuremberg trials,” said Deveno. “I was born in Nuremberg and came to the U.S. when I was about five. Because of my parents’ experiences and my own childhood, I developed a fascination with post-war buildings, which has been reflected in my art over the years. The post-war development period was filled with optimism, so I tend to paint buildings that reflect that feeling of hope.” 

Zullo Director Bill Pope encourages artists like Deveno, whose personal upbringing or heritage is reflected in their art, to enter the juried exhibit.

“Stories can be told a number of ways, and art is one of the most powerful mediums,” said Pope. 

Details for how to enter the Zullo Gallery’s “Outwitting History” art exhibit are available at http://www.zullogallery.org/outwitting_history.html. The exhibit is open to artists 18 years or older working in all mediums. Applicants may submit up to three works by the deadline of April 4. The gallery requests a $20 donation from each applicant. Artists will be notified by April 11 if chosen.