Boston Italian Artists (BIA) held a launch event this week to create the first organization in the city for the Italian-American artistic community. Hosted at Boston’s Italian Consulate with Consul General Federica Sereni, dozens of artists gathered to take part in the new group. BIA is founded by President Chiara Durazzini, Vice President Stefano Marchese and Treasurer Nicola Orichuia.
BIA’s mission is to foster the New England Italian-American artistic scene by connecting artists and organizing productions with the goal of benefitting the local community. The founders have a breadth of experience in the Boston community.
BIA President Chiara Durazzini is a native of Florence, Italy, and has been working as a theater actress both in Italy and in Boston. She is the co-founder and artistic director of the Commedia dell’Arte Troupe Pazzi Lazzi for which she performs, teaches and directs.
BIA Vice President Stefano Marchese is an Italian native who moved to Boston where he graduated from Berklee College of Music. In the North End, he is a music instructor/director at the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) and Eliot K-8 Innovation School. He is also an avid music writer for artists and groups such as Scanzonati, Modular Art Collective Ensemble, and many others. He has produced the first TV show for Italians abroad “L’Italia Chiamò” and has directed several concert series in Boston including NEMPAC’s “Jazz in The Park”.
BIA Treasurer Nicola Orichuia is the owner of I AM Books, the Italian-American bookstore in Boston’s North End. He is also an organizer of IDEA Boston, an annual Italian-inspired cultural festival and previously founded Bostoniano Magazine.
For more information on upcoming events and getting involved with BIA, see their website www.BostonItalianArtists.org and follow them on Instagram @bostonitalianartists.
