SHU Art Gallery Features Biggio
10/8/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ -- Sports artist James Fiorentino's portrait of Seton Hall star player and Houston Astros catcher, Craig Biggio, will be featured in Play Ball! -- a new exhibit opening at the University's Walsh Gallery on Tuesday, October 23, with a reception open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m.
Running through December 7, Play Ball! highlights a century of baseball history at Seton Hall and the professional players including: Biggio, Derek Jeter, Thurman Munson and Yogi Berra, who inspire and contribute to the New York-New Jersey baseball culture.
In addition to original art works by Mr. Fiorentino and sports artist Anthony Capparelli, the exhibit features cultural objects from the sports collection of Ed Lucas, and student history objects from the Seton Hall University's Athletics Department and the Department of Archives and Special Collections.
Original works by both artists and giclée prints of select artworks will be available for purchase by visitors. Proceeds will benefit the Ed and Allison Lucas Scholarship Foundation, which supports Seton Hall students with disabilities.
Alumnus Ed Lucas '62 Turned his Passion for Baseball into a Reporting Career -- and into a Wide Network of Friends and Fans. In spite of being blind for the last 55 years, Ed Lucas has covered the New York area sports scene as a reporter/broadcaster since 1964. Ed lost vision in both eyes during a sandlot baseball game near his home when he was struck between the eyes by a wicked line drive. In 1958, just seven years after losing his sight, Ed enrolled at Seton Hall University, graduating four years later with a degree in communications (one of the first blind students in the country to do so). Today, Ed Lucas continues to inspire others and show people, both disabled and non-disabled, that there are no true handicaps in life.
The different artistic styles of Mr. Fiorentino and Mr. Capparelli capture the professional players and stadiums that have appealed to local fans. Seton Hall baseball is depicted alongside these artworks and suggests the influence of professional leagues on students.
"We wish to convey to visitors that the achievements of professional baseball players encourage and inspire others to strive for success using their own unique talents," stated curators Greg Ferrara and Cori Linville.
Paintings by Mr. Fiorentino feature a self-crafted watercolor technique and his artwork has been displayed in multiple sports institutions, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mr. Capparelli practices many painting styles and currently teaches art classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Seton Hall University.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is recommended that off-campus visitors call to confirm gallery hours prior to visiting. For more information, please call 973.275.2033 or http://academic.shu.edu/libraries/gallery.
