Page 23 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 46 Winter 2024
P. 23

figurative and seascapes and snowscapes.
                                                                        Artist, William McCarthy from Hamden, also
                                                                     well known workshops in Farnese, Italy took
                                                                     a group of 10-12 artists for an unforgettable
                                                                     experience of their life. Expenses paid for a
                                                                     rustic roman style room and wonderful food
                                                                     all provided by hired chef, Amabile. The villa is
                                                                     privately owned and is situated on a beautiful
                                                                     pastoral scene, an artists dream come true.
                                                                     Imagine staying in a historic villa nestled among
                                                                     wineries and olive trees. Patricia and her fellow
                                                                     artists would choose their genre based on the
                                                                     lighting of that morning or afternoon shadows.
                                                                     It was either from the large art studio above
                               Puerto Rico, P. Corbett               or setting up an easel on the outdoor garden
          her career as an opera singer performing in operas         pathways amongst the olive grove. In 2018 she
          and concerts throughout the country. She made it     returned to Farnese on her own and stayed for two
          onto the stages of many prestigious houses, not the   months. It was an experience she will always cherish.
 Italy Painting, P. Corbett  MET, but indeed, came very close to stepping through   Her paintings certainly show the beauty and lushness
 singing for herself and at the same time raising three   golden opportunity to sing in the middle of winter in   those very famous doors. How many can boast such   of her surroundings. Looking at them you feel as if
 children with her husband by her side. Her brothers   Dillon Montana. Her unexpected adventure launched   a career! She sang Mimi in Puccini’s, La Boheme and   you were there with her. She also pursued workshops
 and sisters were lost and the family was in chaos.   her career as a concert artist for The Concert Artist   Violetta in Verdi’s, La Traviata.   at the Academie de las Grande Chaumiere in Paris.
 When asked if she and her husband could take three   Series at Columbia resulting in travel to over 30   Onto Broadway! She sang Madame La Goulue on   Currently her art is displayed at BACA Art Gallery
 of her siblings, their decision seemed like the only one  different cities in the US! That was the beginning of   Baz Luhrmann’s product of La Boheme, so exciting.   in Branford, CT as well as the Spectrum Gallery in
 they could make to ensure the well-being and safety.   her concert career. She moved to NYC and continued   New York City, if you can make it there….well, you   Centerbrook, CT. She continues her oil painting in her
 The youngest was 12.   know the rest!                         own private studio in Wallingford.
 Patricia was eventually offered a job in Hollywood   In 2005 she and her second husband, who   Now her whole life was and is ART. John
 with the Johnny Mann show, Stand Up and Cheer, a   worked for a company located in Wallingford, moved   Massimino, an artist well known throughout the art
 weekly television show that featured so many well-  to town so he would be closer to his office. Eventually,   world in CT, actually was a guest invited by Patricia to
 known stars and singers as Dinah Shore, Florence   Patricia known for her kindness and generosity   critique works of art from various Wallingford artists.
 Henderson, John Denver, Edie Adams, Henry Fonda   wanted to give her time and talent to a church   She met him through Stefano Panno at the Half Moon
 and so many more. Patricia was fortunate to have   fundraiser, the Cameroon Water Filtration cause   Cafe in Wallingford which is right down the street
 been one of the Johnny Mann Singers. They were also   hosted by the First Congregational Church. Having a   from her art studio. It was an incredible experience
 honored with an invitation to perform at the White   well-known reputation in the music world, her benefit   for the artists to be at the critique. They all knew his
 House. Because of the theme of Johnny’s show, it   concert at the church raised nearly $12,000! Her   worldly reputation and were honored he spent time
 was even more of an honor to have been selected   neighbor and friend joined her Gina Dunlap also sang   with them. He is well known for his exhibits in the U.S.
 to perform. On this half hour musical TV series, host   and played guitar with Jeanette Gross, the church   and Italy. He has received endless accolades for his
 Johnny Mann, with his singers and assorted guests,   music director as the pianist.
 sang musical songs reminiscent of the good old U.S.A.   In her new home, Patricia returned to teaching
 The singers toured to select venues like Las Vegas   voice and once again began serious painting which
 and other parts of the country. It was a wonderful and   gave her the opportunity to meet local artists which
 exciting experience meeting the celebrities, something   in turn helped her reach out to the art world around
 she will always cherish. What fun!   Wallingford and nearby art communities. She
 One of the most prestigious music agencies for   eventually joined over fifteen art clubs and did art
 any up and coming artist to be represented by was   workshops in Italy and France over the years. At the
 Columbia Artist Management. To this day it is still   CT Women Artists she just retired from being a council
 the agency want to be belong to. The Vice President   member.
 of Columbia called Patricia one late Saturday night    Her well-known paintings of the Merritt Parkway
 after a fellow artist had cancelled and asked Patricia   landscapes and bridges rendered in a mix of the
 to step in at the last moment. When the call came   French and Californian impressionistic style is a
 through, Patricia without hesitation, jumped at this   body of work lauded in CT. She also is known for her
 Little Boy, P. Corbett                                                          The artist in her studio.
 Wallingford Magazine – Winter 2024  WallingfordMagazine.com
 22                                                                                                             23
   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28