Downtown Warren, OH hosts one of the largest annual Italian celebrations in the Mahoning Valley. The 41st Warren Italian American Heritage Festival, held on August 6-9, demonstrated yet again the dedication, organization, and richness of Warren’s Italian community. As always, the event proved the popularity of attractions such as bocce and morra competitions, beauty and talent pageants, wine tastings, a colorful parade, live music, and a host of sponsor tents, tables, and delicious food offerings. The four-day festival drew area residents of all ages and backgrounds.

A key feature of every festa here is the dedication to sharing and preserving the culture and history of Warren’s Italian community. This year the Culture Tent, a very large venue located on the grounds of the Trumbull County Courthouse, displayed hundreds of books, artifacts, and maps revealing the deep legacy of Italy and Italian immigrants. La Gazzetta Italiana was available here, too.

One of the highlights of the August event featured artist Alex Infante’s beautifully hand-carved Venetian gondolas. Many who passed through the carefully curated exhibits stopped to marvel at the artistry of his wooden boats. During the festival, Infante was gracious in granting La Gazzetta an opportunity to talk with him about his work.

La Gazzetta (LG): Hi, Alex. Your beautifully carved replicas of classic Venetian gondolas are attracting a lot of comments. First, can you give us some information about yourself and your work.
AI: I was born and raised in nearby Niles. My roots in Italy can be found in the town of Bagnoli Irpino, in Avellino Province. I’ve never visited there, but I’ve met a relative who came here from Bagnoli. I’ve done a lot of research on my family history in Italy. In regard to my art background, I guess I owe my high school art teacher thanks for inspiring me. I’m still in contact with her.

LG: How did you become engaged in creating the wood sculptures we have on display here?
AI: Through my dad and eventually the organizing committee of the Warren Italian American Heritage Festival. Originally, the gondolas were to enhance the new outdoor fountain, part of the Trumbull County Courthouse grounds, where the festival takes place. But it was then decided to exhibit them inside the Cultural Tent instead. So, the group of gondolas is really a commission from the festival and will remain with the organization.

LG: What was necessary to create them? How long did it take you?
AI: I love recreating objects from life. Once I had the idea, I made a prototype to start off. It soon came to me that I needed a context for the sculptures, so I designed them to be docked at their moorings, as you would find them in Venice today. Shaping and reworking the final models took over 34 hours. I used pine, fabric, steel plates and a lot of sandpaper.

LG: What other art have you done? What medium do you usually work in?
AI: I’m interested in the artistic reuse of the past. I like to assemble three-dimensional pieces. I even enjoy creating work using legacy technology. My work has been exhibited at the Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown.

LG: What does art do for you?
AI: I want something more than just a 40 hours a week job. Art has helped me define myself as someone looking for meaning in life.

LG: What you’ve told us is very interesting. Thank you so much for your time. It was great meeting you and learning about the models.
AI: My pleasure.

• Photos Courtesy of... Photos Courtesy of...
• Photos Courtesy of... Photos Courtesy of...
• Photos Courtesy of... Photos Courtesy of...
• Photos Courtesy of... Photos Courtesy of...
•