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Italian American Museum To Present Annual Awards

March 7, 2002 / New York, New York - The Italian American Museum, the first museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the cultural and social contributions of Italian Americans to the American way of life, will honor four individuals for their outstanding contributions to the Italian-American experience.

The awards will be presented at the Italian American Museum's Gala and Awards Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, March 21, 2002, at The Plaza. The Italian American Museum Gala and Awards Ceremony is being sponsored by the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of Queens College/The City University of New York.

The honorees are:

· Lawrence E. Auriana, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, and Chairman of the Federated Kaufmann Fund;

· Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, author of "Lidia's Italian American Kitchen", television celebrity chef, and restaurateur;

· Chazz Palminteri, actor, director, writer; and

· Honorable Guy J. Velella, Senior Assistant Majority Leader of the New York State Senate and Chairman of the Labor Committee.

"Our four award recipients represent the diverse arenas in which Italian Americans have excelled and contributed so abundantly to the financial, political, and cultural fabric of our country," said Joseph V. Scelsa, EdD, President and CEO of the Italian American Museum. "The Italian American Museum strives to recognize the struggles and celebrate the contributions of our immigrant ancestors and their heirs."

This year's award recipients will receive a relief of "La Bellissima America" sculpture, which captures the fears and joys of an immigrant Italian family landing on the shores of the United States, by artist Patrick Morelli.

"The City University of New York has also been very gracious in temporarily housing our new Museum while we look for a permanent home," said Dr. Scelsa. "The Gala and Awards Ceremony will bring us one step closer to realizing our dream of an Italian American Museum."

The Italian American Museum is an outgrowth of the highly acclaimed exhibit, "The Italians of New York: Five Centuries of Struggle and Achievement," which was held recently at the New York Historical Society.

"Through exhibits, lectures, and festivals, the Italian American Museum will explore the rich heritage of Italy and Italian America," said Dr. Scelsa. The Italian American Museum will collect, preserve, and display notable works of Italians and Italian American to the American experience. "An important goal of the Museum will be to raise public awareness and appreciation of the many accomplishments and contributions made by Italian Americans to the American way of life," he added.

The Italian American Museum received its provisional charter by the New York State Board of Regents in June, 2001.

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In transitional residence at John D. Calandra Italian American Institute,

Queens College / The City University of New York
28 West 44th Street 17th Floor New York, NY 10036-7406
Phone 212.642.2020 (fax: 212.642.2069) Email: Info@ItalianAmericanMuseum.org

Contact: Joseph V. Scelsa, EdD
Telephone: 212.642.2020 / 917.642.4922

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