By Irene Vaisnoras
The Italian men's national “football” team may not have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but the current exhibition of Italo-Canadian women artists is an unqualified success – a worthy redemption of pride in the sphere (pun intended) of Italian culture of the Canadian variety.
The opening reception of Viva Vitalita' Italia at the Joseph D. Carrier Gallery (at the Columbus Centre, Toronto) on June 5th highlighted excellence not only in the visual arts, but also in other aspects of culture: food (pasta, pizza, arrancini, salad) and wine; music (vocal and instrumental, including accordion and violin). This abundance of pleasure for the senses was courtesy of the many sponsors who contributed to this annual event for the launch of Italian Heritage Month (June) in Ontario. The event was organized by long-time cultural supporter Marcello Tarantino, resulting in an atmosphere that was lively, warm and convivial. In my experience, this was a typical Italian celebration.
