May 11th, 2009
My 3D Pop Art Celebrates Ellis Island
I wondered how NECO could surpass the wonderful party they threw on Friday night….I met many of the past medalists on Friday and they told me to expect an incredible day on Saturday….but it’s just something that you can’t describe. What an incredible experience…what an incredible honor. I gathered with all of the other medalists at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Battery Park. They assembled us and we followed a bagpipe escort to one of the Ellis Island Ferries. We arrived at Ellis Island to a complete color guard and military line down the red carpet. We were escorted into the main tent and were seated on stage for the ceremony. There was a full military procession, some incredible entertainment…i think the Georgia Mass Choir was my favorite….the Air Force Liberty Band was incredible too…as were the American Belles and the 82nd Airborne. They were just ALL incredible.
We were individually presented with our medals. Emilio Estefan gave a fantastic speech. After the ceremony, we were taken to the Great Hall for a black tie dinner. My words just can’t give adequate meaning to this event. To hear so many stories of the brave and courageous who all came through Ellis Island…to be honored in the place where my family entered this country…to remember the feeling of hope and the dreams they carried with them…and to pay tribute to the opportunities offered by The United States of America…it was very powerful. I am grateful to NECO for adding me to this incredibly prestigious list of people. It was a night i will certainly never forget!
–Charles
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Tags: 3D pop art, Air Force Liberty Band, Charles Fazzino, Ellis Island, Emilio Estefan, Georgia Mass, NECO
Posted in Charity Involvement |
May 9th, 2009
I can’t believe last night was only the “PRE-CELEBRATION” – the weekend of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Awards Gala is here..and i really don’t think i understood the magnitude of this event until last night. I attended the pre-celebration party at the National Museum of the American Indian. First of all…what a beautiful museum. The shape of the room they held the event in is reminiscent of a teepee, albeit a VERY modern one…beautiful wood floors…incredible glassed-in exhibits…and a high tech screen. My original painting and limited editions were on display (make sure you check out the special offer NECO is offering to my collectors until May 15th at http://www.fazzino.com/News-ellis-island-medal-of-honor-neco.htm).
The chairman of NECO, Mr. Nasser Kazeminy, made a fabulous speech and donated money to “Gift of Life,” the organization that brings children from third world countries to the United States for life-saving surgery. Very inpsiring. Did you know they have saved more than 10,000 lives??!
I had the honor of meeting Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Gloria received the Medal of Honor several years ago and this year, it’s Emilio’s turn. They are gracious and sweet people. I spent a long time speaking with George Randazzo, the founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago. We are talking about some very exciting projects….my father was from Sicily….and i would be proud to be involved with the Hall of Fame!
At the Chairman’s Dinner, i sat next to Medal recipient Rayna DuBose…after contracting Meningitis while playing basketball in her first year of college some years ago, she’s lost both arms and is now a motivational speaker….resiliance is her middle name and i was touched hearing her story. Congressman Charles Rangel sought her out because he wanted to meet her.
It was incredible night and i can’t believe that the best is yet to come today with the actual ceremony on Ellis Island. More to come….
–Charles
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Tags: Charles Fazzino, Ellis Island, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Natinoal Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, NECO
Posted in Charity Involvement |
April 11th, 2009
I am incredibly honored to be able to tell you that i have been selected to receive, along with several others, the 2009 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Award is meant to celebrate the cultural diversity of our nation, and to salute Ellis Island in particular, for its contributions to our rich history. Being of Finnish and Italian descent, I, like so many others, can tell stories of relatives who came to the United States through Ellis Island. It’s a mecca for those seeking a new and better way of life. Not only am I receiving the award, but I was also asked to paint the official artwork for this year’s ceremony, which takes place in May. I’d like to share the finished piece with you. I’m very proud of it. I’ve donated the original painting to NECO and they will auction it off to raise funds for their many incredible programs. There will also be a 3-D limited edition based on the artwork that will be sold to the public to raise more funds. The Award is given out by an organization called NECO (National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation), a group dedicated to supporting and fostering philanthropic projects, and celebrating diversity throughout the country. For example, NECO has partnered with Gift of Life, Inc. to bring children from all over the world to the United States for life-saving surgery. They have also sponsored projects like Victor Hobson’s (NY Jets) Harlem hospital holiday toy drive, Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans, and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation World Leadership Congress in Washington DC.
I have to thank my new friend Rosemarie Taglione for getting me involved with NECO and for asking me to do this piece of artwork. I’m looking forward to the ceremony in May and I hope the artwork raises lots of money for NECO’s good works. You can contact NECO directly at 212-755-1492 if you’re interested in purchasing the limited editions.
–Charles
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Tags: Ellis Island, Fazzino, NECO
Posted in Charity Involvement, Contemporary Art News, Fine Art Giclee Prints, Limited Edition Artwork, My Art, Pop Art Artists, Pop Culture and Entertainment Art |
