NAPA, CA.- Miracles do happen. When Mark di Suvero and Rene di Rosa first dreamed about placing the thirty-foot tall sculpture “For Veronica” on the di Rosa campus in 1993, they agreed that the best place for it would be on the hillside in front of Winery Lake. In this highly visible location, the sculpture could be seen from every direction. This would identify di Rosa as an art center, not a winery. di Suvero and di Rosa were disappointed that the County did not approve the location at that time and so they installed the work on a hill in the sculpture garden where it has stood for over 25 years.
Additional attempts were made to move the sculpture to the front of the property but the estimated cost to relocate it was simply beyond the reach of di Rosa. Executive Director Kate Eilertsen called on her friend Mark di Suvero who enthusiastically supported the project and committed his staff to assist in moving the massive sculpture which is over 30’ tall and weighs 9,000 pounds.
Mark di Suvero is one of the most prominent American artists from his era. His sculptures have appeared in museums and outdoor public settings around the world. In 2010 he received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and in 2013 SFMOMA installed seven monumental sculptures along Chrissy Field.
Volunteers, led by local wine maker, developer, and art lover Michael Muscardini, and donations from engineers, crane operators, concrete contractors, along with approval from the Napa County building permit office, have allowed this relocation to happen. For Veronica by Mark di Suvero is sure to become a landmark for the local community and tourists alike, and di Rosa now has one more reason to be recognized as a world-class destination for Northern California art.
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art presents contemporary exhibitions and educational programs for all ages and maintains a permanent collection of notable works by artists living or working in the San Francisco Bay Area from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. A wide range of styles, media and subject matter provides an overview of the creative energy and freedom to experiment that characterize this region of California. di Rosa features multiple galleries, a sculpture park and a 35-acre lake, all located on 217 scenic acres in Napa Valley’s famed Carneros region that are protected in perpetuity under the Napa County Land Trust.
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is located at 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa. Outdoor areas are currently open weekends 11 AM – 3 PM.
