Sicily, John Benigno, Italy, Palermo, Agrigento, Selinunte, Siracusa

I take great pride in my Sicilian heritage. My paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early part of the 20th Century from Belmonte Mezzagno, a small town about 10 miles southeast of Palermo.

Sicilians are warm and generous, the food is a delight to the pallet, the landscape is dotted with fragrant citrus groves and rich vineyards, and the culture is a diverse mixture of Roman, African, Norman, Spanish and Arabic.

The island's diverse history has left a surprising abundance of archeological treasures. It was an important power base during the Hellenistic period -- the ruins at Selinunte, Siracusa, Segesta and Agrigento are the most spectacular examples. Roman, Arabic, Norman and Spanish cultures influenced later architecture.

Sicily is a land unto itself, proudly different from the rest of Italy in culture and tradition. Life is slower, ritual is respected, and past myths and legends aren't easily forsaken.

*"Duomo, Siracusa," copyright, May, 2002*				*"Temple, Agrigento," copyright, May, 2002*

*"First Communion, Palermo" copyright, May, 2002*				*"Puppets, Palermo," copyright, May, 2002*

*"St. Peter, Siracusa," copyright, May, 2002*				*"San Paolo Church, Siracusa," copyright, May, 2002*

*"Greek Temple, Selinunte," copyright, May, 2002 (The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art collection)*				*"Greek Theatre, Taormina," copyright, May, 2002*

Click on the links below to learn more about my background and my art; and to see portfolios of my work.

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