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Welcome to Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo
Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo President’s Letter – September 2024
Dear Members,
I hope this letter finds you well. As we look back on an exciting summer and prepare for the fall season, I am thrilled to share some important updates with you. Welcome to Our New Executive Director, Lianna Tatman!
I am pleased to announce that Lianna Tatman has joined the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo as our new Executive Director. In addition to an MA in Arts Management, Lianna brings extensive experience in cultural leadership, having previously served as the Executive Director of Pasco Fine Arts Council, Inc. During her tenure, she managed development, education, and public programming, securing the organization’s first NEA grant and launching the Fourth Friday Art Walk series in New Port Richey. She also forged partnerships with Pasco County Libraries, New Port Richey Main Street, and St. Leo’s University. Lianna’s success in managing the Florida State Culture Builders Grant earned her a spot on the 2022-2023 Grant Panel. We are excited about the fresh perspective and energy she brings to our community.
Celebrating Italian Heritage Month
As we head into October, we are excited to celebrate Italian Heritage Month. We will soon announce our fall and winter hours, and you can look forward to an array of engaging programs, including our popular Christmas cookie-making workshops.
Courtyard Pavilion Construction
We are excited to share that Picone Construction will begin building a pavilion in our courtyard this fall. This project has been made possible with the support of Delaware District Common Council Member Joel Feroleto, who helped secure funding from the American Rescue Plan. The new pavilion will be a fantastic addition to our community space, offering a place for music and activities that everyone can enjoy.
Summer Program Recap
In case you missed it, we had a summer packed with fun and enriching activities. Here are some of the highlights: Kids Summer Language Programs: Our building was filled with children who learned new Italian songs, art, and cooking. Cucina Con Cooking Demonstrations: Every Wednesday, we hosted cooking demonstrations led by Frank Giacobbe, Paola Giacobbe Kersch, Mario Giacobbe, Dean Puleo, and many others. Aperitivo Nights: Every Tuesday, we gathered for evenings of socializing and delicious Italian appetizers. Beer and Bocce Thursdays: Our weekly bocce games, accompanied by a selection of beer, were a hit! Poetry Readings: Our courtyard was transformed into a haven for poetry lovers, where readings celebrated Italian culture. Italian Festival weekend: We offered beer, wine, genealogy and gelato, and beautiful gift shop items from Italy. World-renowned recording artist Jay Dref performed in our courtyard. Father’s Day Craft Weekend: Families came together to create memorable crafts in honor of Father’s Day. Celebration of Life for Francesco Giacobbe: The summer’s highlight was a beautiful celebration of our founder, Francesco Giacobbe, where his family planted a tree in our courtyard in his memory.
We are incredibly grateful to the staff at the CCI, our board of directors, volunteers, and all of our members for making this summer a resounding success. Your support is what keeps our community vibrant, and we look forward to creating even more wonderful memories together.
Thank you, and we hope to see you at our upcoming events!
With much love for the CCI,
Maria Renzi Foss
President Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo
CCI wins Buffalo Spree's award for Best Cultural Programming
The CCI is honored to have been recognized by Buffalo Spree for Best Cultural Programming. For over ten years, the CCI has been sharing and promoting education, history, and inspiring current and future generations within the Buffalo community. CCI Buffalo’s mission is to preserve and promote Italian culture, heritage and language through educational opportunities and community engagement in the Western New York region.