Hi Brittni,
I hope you and your family and everyone at MHT is doing well, all considering.
I am not sure if Fr. Tom mentioned to you that we ran into each other at REI a few days ago, and then I shared with him that I had a good note to share with him, letting him know that my art that was at the Vatican Hall - which stayed in lockdown until May 2020 when the Vatican allowed the art to go back to the gallerist. My Max said to me and tells people that God wanted to hold onto my art a while longer... LOL funny hubby!
So, the gallerist decided to do a small private exhibit that I learned about later - it was like a weekend thing at a secret location (how fun is that to know) for elite wealthy people only.
The gallery decided that with all the artists that had their art with them, stuck in the Vatican for so long and they asked me for images of more art and small bio's of each piece so that they can present this online; which I attached the link to that below:
We the artists that are with iL Galleria Collezionista announced that all the artists on this particular online exhibit are 'Artists to Watch' around the world.
Then, they reached out to me and asked me instead of returning my art back to me, and since the art was still in Italy, that it would be great if I could participate in putting my art in the fall, September/October at a Palace in Naples, Italy. Of course, I said yes, shipping art to Italy was brutal but it was worth it, and the way it looks, my art is going on tour of the country - without me! ha! how fun. I attached the announcement and then when they are closer to the upcoming event in the fall, they will put our names to this event. Attached photo of the Venice Palace in Naples, Italy invited to me and the other artists. This is only sent to a few artists from around the world, I was one of 60 people out of 5000 chosen for this. I'm still pinching myself, thank goodness for Fr. Joe Rodriguez at the Vatican because he got to take photos there. Do you think I should tell him about this too? I don't know if he's even still in Italy.
Let me know if you want anything else from me, I'm doing this because Fr. Tom said that parishioners need good news. Brittni, I assure you that I'm not bragging. My art was at the Mexican Consulate since January as well, so some people got to see all the artists who were locked up in their exhibit as well, but everyone who would wander in there would have to of course wear masks at the Consulate here in Tucson. I'm getting it back this Friday.
I'm still in awe of how supportive MHT has been for me, it brings me to tears sometimes.
God bless you and your day!
we all miss you dearly!
air hugs
Déborah Cassolis
Tell Fr. Tom we were so pleased to see him - not just drive by our house but in person at the store. He sure made our day!
