GRUPPO DI QUATTRO Opening Reception

San Francisco Italian American artists Elio Benvenuto, Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Sam Provenzano were all Modernists in the second half of the 20th century, each with their own distinct styles. Pivotal figures of their time, these artists all played an important part in the foundation and blossoming of the arts in Post War San Francisco. This exhibition features paintings, prints, works on paper, sculptures and textile craft by these influential artists.

Elio Benvenuto (1914-1991) was a master sculptor and trained artist versed in a range of mediums. An active Partisan during WWII Italy, he immigrated to San Francisco post war with his wife Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto and family. A cultural leader, mentor and teacher, he was instrumental in establishing important San Francisco arts infrastructure, founding and directing the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, co-founding Fort Mason Center, and directing the vibrant SFAC Arts Festival for many years. His work touches upon spiritual, egalitarian and philosophical themes.

Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto (1913-2009), born into a family of working class artists, was a self-taught painter and trained textile craft artist. A passionate cultural advocate of feminist social consciousness and equity, she was involved with San Francisco Women’s Artists and the Museo Italo Americano, among others. She lived and exhibited in Italy and San Francisco, where she notably showed with Jay DeFeo, Ruth Asawa and Joan Brown.

Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021), famous as a poet and co-founder of City Lights Booksellers and Publishers in North Beach, was also a prolific expressionist artist. A cultural icon and prominent literary voice beginning with the 1950s Beat movement, he actively engaged in important political and social issues, which he wove into his dynamic paintings and drawings.

Sam Provenzano (1923-1999) was an abstract expressionist painter influenced by his studies with Hans Hoffman. A highly regarded teacher and integral character of the Bay Area art scene, he is recognized as one of San Francisco’s premier painters. He loved San Francisco’s North Beach for its creative ambiance and strong sense of Italian culture. His paintings are included in many museums around the country.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, October 26th from 3 - 7 p.m. The exhibition will run October 26th 2024 – December 28th 2024.