Cecelia FranciscoOn Sunday, Sept. 28 the fine arts department presented the art exhibit “Tightly Bound: A mother/daughter exhibit,” by Dolores Iadarola Tema and, her daughter, Julia Tema Contacessi. People from Connecticut, Minnesota, Florida, and New York came to Cabrini to see the artwork being displayed.
There are over 60 pieces of artwork, including photography and graphic design. This is the largest exhibit Cabrini has ever displayed.
One of these names should be familiar to the Cabrini community. Delores Tema is the sister of President Antoinette Iadarola. Even though this family connection can be made neither sister came up with the idea of the art exhibit.
Tema said it was actually Dr. Adeline Bethany, head of the fine arts department, who came up with the theme. At a previous art exhibit Bethany approached Tema and asked if she would like to have a mother/daughter art exhibit with her daughter Julia.
Bethany said, “At the time Cabrini was having a father/daughter exhibit so why not have a mother/daughter exhibit.” Bethany was very delighted to see so many people attend and was pleased with the way in which the artwork was arranged and presented.
This is the first exhibit where Tema and Contacessi have had their artwork displayed at the same time. Contacessi said, “we really just bounce ideas off each other and because we use the same applications, it is easy to get help from one another.” Tema added that living close also helps when it comes to sharing ideas.
“I don’t necessarily start out with an idea. I might see a frame and think of things that would go great with the frame and go from ther,.” Contacessi said. Tema said, “We don’t have the same work but we both use the same process of ‘working backwards.'”
The theme of the art exhibit, “Tightly Bound” expanded to more than just Tema and Contacessi. One of the works of art was letters written by a family member who had come over from Italy to Ellis Island.
Tema said that she was excited to see how much of the work was based on her family. Some of the artists’ family is still in Italy and Tema said that it was nice to see how that part of the family had influenced the artwork
Also making an appearance at the art exhibit on Sunday was Iadarola in support of her family. Iadarola said, “I am very proud of my sister and my niece and with the fact that Dr. Bethany asked them to present their artwork at Cabrini.” Iadarola explained how there were many generations at the exhibit that day and that the title “Tightly Bound” really explained the day and the exhibit.
“I hope the show shows all work can be created from anything,” Contacessi said. Tema said, “I hope people see how important art is and how it comes together to show that art is in everything.”
Posted to the web by: Cecelia Francisco
