Although even his name isn't on the tongues of most Milwaukeeans, at least Francesco Spicuzza, who arrived in Milwaukee from Sicily when he was just eight years old, is regarded as one of the city's best 20th century artists.
His daughter Sylvia, born in 1908, may finally get her due, thanks to a new show at the David Barnett Gallery, 1024 E. State St., which runs from Thurs., March 14 through Sat., April 26. There will be an opening reception, Thurs., March 13 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Being shown for the first time is a rich cache of drawings, prints and watercolors than span Spicuzza's career from the 1920s to the 1990s. Her stylistic, often fantastic and humorous, works draw on many of the century's movements and as such offer insight into how artists everywhere -- but especially in Milwaukee -- responded to new ideas.
Spicuzza, who died in 1998, spent much of her life teaching art at Shorewood's Lake Bluff Elementary School. Meanwhile, she was also creating a large body of work that remained largely hidden until her death.
She studied at Northwestern University, where she earned a Masters in Art. Certainly, she also learned from her talented painter father, to whose work she was especially devoted. In fact, she rarely exhibited her work, instead using her energies to promote her father's paintings.
Gallery owner David Barnett and Spicuzza's cousin Jeanne, a California-based actress, also experienced this selflessness.
"Sylvia made quite an impact on her children and to this day," Jeanne Spicuzza says. "When her former students hear her name, they say, 'She is one of the best teachers I ever had,' often reflecting on her playfulness and unique sense of humor."
"Spicuzza was a very important and enthusiastic teacher and was a primary influence on my own career as a professional artist and art dealer ... as well as (on) many other artists due to her brilliance, ingenuity and resourcefulness often reflected in her work," says Barnett. "Her encouraging words of wisdom and support gave many artists confidence."
"I'm so happy," says Jeanne Spicuzza, "because she spent a lot of time fostering the talents of others and is finally getting the recognition for her work that she deserves. Once her student, along with the famous film-producing Zucker brothers, David (Barnett) has been a strong proponent of Sylvia's work for many years."
The David Barnett Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday by appointment. Call (414) 271-9132 for more information.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
