American Foundation Honors Zeffirelli with Scholarships in His Name
ROME, May 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Lawrence Auriana, President of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, announced today that the Foundation will present the 2005 Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship for the Arts in a ceremony to be held at 4:00 PM on May 18 at the American Embassy in Rome under the auspices of United States Ambassador, Mel Sembler.
Attending the ceremony will be Franco Zeffirelli, Mr. Auriana, Dr. Maria Anna Franceschini, Director of Educational Programs of the Istituto Statale D'Arte the noted academy of applied arts in Florence, American sculptor Greg Wyatt and numerous dignitaries and friends of the foundation, including Minister of Defense Antonio Martino and Minister Mirko Tremaglia, who have been guests of honor in past Columbus Day Celebrations in New York.
Through the award of the 2005 Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship for the Arts, two Italian students of fine art attending the Istituto Statale D'Arte will conduct a six-month course of study under Greg Wyatt, the internationally renown sculptor who is also Sculptor-in-Residence of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, in New York City and Director of the Newington-Cropsey Foundation's Academy of Art in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. The Istituto will designate the recipients at a later date.
"We are delighted to contribute to the education of young Italian students who are committed to the goal of serious study and accomplishment in the field of the arts," said Mr. Auriana. "The Columbus Citizens Foundation each year raises funds for scholarships, primarily for Italian-American students," Mr. Auriana said. "So it is with great pleasure that we, in honor of Franco Zeffirelli, are able to give something back to the youth of the country that was the birthplace of so many of our Foundation's members."
The Foundation established the Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts following the Foundation's 2002 Columbus Day Parade in New York City, which is the largest celebration of Italian-American heritage in the world. Mr. Zeffirelli was Grand Marshal of the 2002 Columbus Day Parade.
Mr. Wyatt is among the most celebrated sculptors working today. His works merge realistic images and abstract masses of form, space and energy and have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Harvard University, among other institutions and collections. Recent commissions have included works for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, England; Columbia University, New York City; and the James A. Michener Art Museum. Mr. Wyatt earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees from Columbia University. He taught sculpture in San Marino, Italy following his graduation in 1974 and is also an instructor at the Art Students League of New York City.
The Columbus Citizens Foundation, a non-profit organization based in New York City, celebrates Italian-American heritage and supports cultural and educational programs, including grants and scholarships for elementary school, high school and college students. In 2004, the Foundation awarded over $2 million in scholarships and grants to 474 students. In addition, the Foundation administers the Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts. The Foundation has been producing the parade since its inception in 1929.
The Franco Zeffirelli Scholarship Fund for the Arts was inaugurated by the Foundation in 2002 in honor of Mr. Zeffirelli's contributions to the worlds of film and stage. It was established to support gifted students in the arts, who often find securing the resources necessary to complete their education singularly challenging.