A true love story with artist Dan Venditti

Dan Venditti is an artist who has always been fascinated with the human form. That, coupled with a great interest in human nature, has formed his artistic style to reveal much about himself, the subject, and the observer. His Italian heritage, coupled with various European masters, both past and contemporary, has influenced his work in many aspects. But what brings him to our show is the love story that he lived and still experiences with his high school sweetheart Annette. Despite being separated by circumstances, they keep the flame alive through letters and poems, which he's getting ready to publish soon.

Engagement poem:

He remembered their touch

the hands of someone from

another time, when just holding

them was enough to stop his breath.

The sweet touches, the warmth

and moisture of them clasped

on a summer night of promise.

Holding tight. Unable to let go.

But they let go like a movie scene.

Waving goodbye, wiping tears.

Nothing left but his own hands

now empty, left only to hold a hope.

There they are now.  Her hands.

Moving in gestures, recounting all

the stories and miles from there

to here, to now.

Their lines hold the stories

raised in hope, clasped in pain.

They have brought lives to this place,

held them, protected them.

I see them now.  Same and different.

The hands that always kept my heart.

A glimpse of something shining on a finger.

A symbol.  A promise made long ago.

Ti amo, bella.