| dean tedesco: impresario |
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| By Eva Tihanyi | |||
| It is not at all surprising to hear the Niagara Gallery's Dean Tedesco, now forty-five, say that in his early twenties he sent annual resumes to NASA because he wanted to be the first artist in space. He's a man who is unafraid of making plans and shooting high, and so far, his aim has been good.
Tedesco wants to add more local artists to his roster, which already numbers over forty and includes Joyce Honsberger, Yolanda Varga-Davis, Preston Haskell, Dwayne Coone, Rob Petrie, and wood carver Michael Hulley, who creates unique humidors, one of which is now owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hulley says that the art at the Niagara Gallery “expresses the true spirit of the region” and that Tedesco “transcends the position of curator/art dealer to be an ambassador for local artists,” one who “speaks to the heart and not to the pocket book.” Hulley’s response is echoed by others, such as Barbara Goodwin, a Fonthill painter new to the gallery: “Dean is a delightful person, an artist and a philosopher of the non-stuffy sort. His plans for the gallery café remind me of Paris, a place where artists, poets and lovers of art can meet and share ideas in surroundings which supply the perfect ambiance for such activity.” Painter Anthony Marlow, president of the St. Catharines Art Association, is also impressed: “Although the idea of creating an art gallery in a house is not new, there are houses and then there are houses, and this one seems ideal. It’s not large enough to be overwhelming nor small where you would feel cramped. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and, most important, you are encouraged to wander freely.” Other artists say the same sort of thing. Wayne Clarkson: “What I like about Dean himself is that he is so warm. He shows everyone around the gallery; he is so personable. And he has such a wide range of artists.” Paul Herriott: “Dean has the moxy, the cajones to strike out and show modern, abstract art.” Amanda Robillard: “It’s nice to have a curator who makes both the artists and the public feel comfortable.” Lorrie Black: “Dean promotes art and artists rather than himself.” >> To read the rest of this article click here.
About the author Photo by Eva Tihanyi
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The Niagara Gallery, located in a light-suffused house near Fonthill, opened in June 2003. With an atmosphere as friendly, relaxed, and unpretentious as the director himself, Tedesco’s gallery is quickly becoming not only a presentation venue for local visual artists, but a meeting place and central hub for writers, musicians, theatre folk, and anyone interested in the arts as well.