Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) has chosen Italian-American artist Rosaria Vigorito and her piece Duo as the featured artist and image for the 5th Annual Art & Soul, an artful night featuring affordable, collectible art, live music, food from area restaurants, drinks and interactive fun, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at the CIRC Hotel, 1780 Polk Street, Hollywood.
A retired New York lawyer and law librarian professor, Vigorito also is an ovarian cancer survivor who got her calling by rediscovering her childhood passion for art as an adult, which she calls her “second coming out.” Vigorito studied at the New York Academy of Figurative Arts, where she received her MFA. Her works include the female nude, issues of androgyny, sexuality and gender, LGBT matters, and, when doing portraiture, the psychological and spiritual inner workings. Influenced by the masters of the past, in particular Picasso and Egon Schiele, she constantly challenges herself by using and combining different media and techniques to express her themes.
“I believe art is not just about pretty pictures,” said Vigorito. “Art should be on the edge and push the societal bar, not for the mere sake of getting attention for attention’s sake, but as fulfilling a fundamental function of the artist as messenger, philosopher and empath. This role includes, to challenge our known perception and preconceived notions, and to dare to be raw, emotional, psychological, sensual, spiritual and provocative.”
Vigorito’s piece Duo will be featured in all materials promoting Art & Soul and will be available for purchase that night. For more information on Vigorito’s work, visit rosariavigorito.com.
Tickets to Art & Soul are $50 in advance and $60 at the door and are available at https://squareup.com/store/business-for-the-arts-of-broward. For additional information visit bfabroward.org or contact Robyn Vegas at rvegas@bfabroward.org.
About Business for the Arts of Broward
Business for the Arts of Broward is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) engaging businesses and business leaders to advocate and educate about the importance of the County’s art and cultural community as well as to recognize the connection between cultural vitality, creative success, and economic development. To learn more visit www.Facebook.com/BFABroward or www.bfabroward.org.