Tucson Museum of Art Catalog 1999
One day in late 1998 I was visited by a woman who I didn’t know who told me that my family had received the Stonewall Foundation art show a the Tucson Museum of Art. It was to be a three generation show for my grandfather, Frank Patania, Sr., my dad, Frank Patania, Jr. and myself. I didn’t really understand but, I knew it was a bolt out of the blue and that it would change my career.
The woman’s name was Joanne Stuhr and she has become a good friend since. Joanne was the curator of the show and the author of the catalog pictured above. This catalog is an important publication for me and my family. Joanne interviewed my father and I (my grandfather died in 1964) for weeks gathering information about my family’s work and history. She then wrote this 32 page four color catalog for the show. The show ran from September 11 to October 31, 1999. This catalog was invaluable for me to have my family’s history in print. I learned much I didn’t already know about my own family. Joanne put together a chronology of family history which is included in the catalog as well as many pages of color photographs of our work. Dan Enos who worked for all three generations of my family as a master silversmith contributed as well. Dan made a list of all the people who worked for my family which my dad also contributed to. To have that history printed is such a gift for me and my kids. Dan was one of my mentors in smithing and a friend. I have had so much support from my family and friends like Dan and Joanne in my career I can’t thank them enough except to continue creating.
This show gave me an opportunity to differentiate myself from my dad and grandfather in terms of my work. I decided not to work in silver and turquoise for the show and instead worked in gold, platinum and colored stones. One of my silver and turquoise pieces did make it into the show, donated by one of my favorite clients who lives in Houston. The piece of mine chosen to be on the cover of this catalog was made of 90/10 platinum/iridium and 24 karat gold set with diamond on the chain and aquamarine and golden beryl on the pendant. The stones in the pendant were all cut by my friend, Jeff Graham, www.faceters.com.
The attendance of the opening for the show was 800 plus people, one of the largest in the Stonewall history. We had three generations of attendees in some cases and many of whom had donated pieces for the show. I had not seen many of the pieces of grandfather’s and dad’s work so it was a special treat for me. I got to clean and photograph many of the pieces prior to the show which helped me to increase my family’s archives.
I have a limited number of these catalogs available. They are $18 plus shipping, if you are interested please contact me directly; 520-795-0086
{ 0 comments… add one now }