As 2023 comes to a close, I’ve been looking over our list of Townhouse activities and was reminded that our very first event in 2023 was an evening with Eduardo Montes-Bradley, learning about the legacy of the Piccirilli brothers, master stone carvers originally from Massa-Carrara, who settled into the Bronx and became one of the most prolific workshops in America. Their talents are evident in some of the most iconic monuments in New York, Washington, DC, and many other states across the country. We will welcome Eduardo back to the Townhouse in 2024 to hear about the state of the documentary that will present the Piccirilli to the public and give them their place in history, which they so richly deserve. You may have seen the article in the New York Times about Eduardo’s work on the Piccirilli.

We were delighted to host the Italian American Podcast earlier this month for the taping of an episode with Eduardo Montes-Bradley describing his work and how he came to be interested in the Piccirilli, their Bronx carving workshop and school, the enduring legacy of their extraordinary works of art. You may remember that we featured Eduardo and the Piccirilli project in the 2022 Parade broadcast.

Columbus Citizens Foundation is thrilled to be a partner with Eduardo Montes-Bradely in the creation of this documentary that sheds light on an important aspect of Italian American culture. All immigrants have contributed to the betterment of the United States in very profound ways. It is clear that one of Italy’s great exports to the United States was extraordinarily talented craftspeople like the Piccirilli who contributed their skills but also the understanding of the importance of monumental creations to telegraph important messages about national values, aesthetics, and signaling a sense of community and prosperity. Here in NY, their works are visible all around us, from the Lions in front of the Public Library to decorative sculpture at St. Bart’s, the frieze at Rockefeller Center, and the Fireman’s Memorial in Riverside Park—to name just a few sites. And travel to DC and their work is visible at the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. 

I’m excited to see the documentary on the Piccirilli and their work to be ready for viewing at the end of 2024. This is an important contribution to understanding how deeply embedded Italian culture is in the United States. It is not just the story of immigration, but the peeling away the layers to understand that Italian cultural values are very much a part of the American national narrative. And just think, after the Piccirilli documentary is available, there are so many more artists that we might highlight. After all, the US Capitol is adorned with the 19th-century murals created by another great Italian immigrant, Constantino Brumidi. The list goes on and on.

If you would like to learn more about the project, feel free to be in touch and I will be happy to share more information. If you would like to contribute to this significant documentary, please click here or call the office and I will be happy to speak with you.

Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director