Paterson Museum exhibits Caliendo's art

FRANKLIN — An exhibit by Franklin artist, Alfonso Caliendo, “Fragments of Today and Yesterday: Paintings and Constructions: 1986 - 2009” is on display at The Paterson Museum. In 2004, Caliendo began to unite his two careers as fabric designer and artist, when he started weaving individual strips of painted paper into five feet square constructions. In addition to paper, he uses 100 year old wood lath from the plastered walls he removed during the renovation of his studio and home in Franklin. Retired from the fashion industry, Alfonso dedicates most of his waking hours to the creation of new artworks. Caliendo, a native of Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy, sailed with his family in 1956 to America aboard the ill-fated Andrea Doria. Surviving the disaster, they settled in Brooklyn. After completing high school, he worked in the garment districts of New York City and Los Angeles from 1964 to 2002. While in L.A., he would often take to visiting the local galleries and museums during his lunch hours. He acted upon his interest in art in 1973, when he enrolled at the Otis Art Institute and attended evening courses in painting and drawing. The exhibit runs at the museum through Aug. 2. The Paterson Museum is located in the Rogers Locomotive Shop in the heart of the Great Falls/S.U.M. Historic District on the corner of Market and Spruce Streets. For information and directions, call 973-321-1260.