Help Us Bring Fasanella’s “The Corner Butcher” to The Smithsonian Museum
Celebrating the centennial of Labor’s greatest artist, The Smithsonian American Art Museum mounted a three-month exhibit of 19 of Ralph Fasanella’s paintings that concluded on November. The AFL-CIO recently staged a Fasanella exhibit in its lobby gallery, featuring another ten paintings.
The owner of one of these paintings, “The Corner Butcher,” has offered the painting for sale, and the Smithsonian Museum is eager to receive it for its permanent collection as a tribute to Fasanella and the American labor movement.
Now we must raise the funds to purchase “The Corner Butcher” which depicts a union craftsman in his shop proudly displaying his union shop card.
The centennial celebrations are supported by the Labor Heritage Foundation and promoted by Public Domain, an organization created to purchase Fasanella’s paintings from collectors and donate them to museums and public institutions. Fasanella often said,
We have already received substantial donations from the Communications Workers of America, the American Federation of Teachers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and UFCW Local 951 led by President John Cakmakci in Grand Rapids, Michigan, UFCW Local 1500 led by Bruce Both on Long Island, NY, and the Amalgamated Bank. Organizations donating $2,500 or more will be invited to attend the installation ceremony for “The Corner Butcher” at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. All donors will receive copies of a limited edition poster reproduction of “The Corner Butcher.”
Note: Any funds over what we need will go to purchasing copies of the documentary for high school social studies and art classrooms
The Fasanella posters of "The Corner Butcher" and "Iceman Crucified" are available for purchase via the Lawrence History Center for $25 each below. Donations may also be made below to support the purchase of the original painting.
An Opportunity to Promote Labor History in the Schools
Labor In the Schools
The Labor Heritage Foundation is teaming up with the Fasanella Public Domain Project to re-issue on DVD the award-winning documentary “Fasanella,” which was produced for use in high school art and social studies courses to introduce labor and immigration issues in the school curriculum.
The film includes a classroom educators’ guide with ideas to help students learn more about the labor movement and labor history, and how to undertake oral history interviews. It also encourages students to create art and write essays honoring their own ethnic heritage. In the documentary Fasanella emphasizes: “We are all immigrants. Honor your roots.”
Support from International Unions
The plan to reissue the documentary and donate copies to high schools throughout America has gained support from the American Federation of Teachers, the Communication Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The AFL-CIO recently staged a Fasanella exhibit in its lobby gallery and held a public screening of “Fasanella.”
Project Launched in NYC
With support from many NYC CLC affiliates, the labor council itself and the Amalgamated Bank, we held a reception to kick off a drive to raise funds to purchase copies of the “Fasanella” documentary for area high schools. Please write checks to The Labor Heritage Foundation, earmarked for “Fasanella Labor in the Schools” or purchase for $20 below through the Lawrence History Center. You may also purchase two DVDs for $30 -- one for yourself and one for a classroom in your name.
For more information on how you can participate in this projects contact:
The Labor Heritage Foundation’s Fasanella Public Domain Project
Ron Carver, Director
roncarver100@gmail.com
202-841-2900
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Ralph Fasanella's "The Corner Butcher" Poster: $25.00 each, plus $5.99 s & h |
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Ralph Fasanella's "Iceman Crucifix" Poster: $25.00 each, plus $5.99 s & h |
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FASANELLA, An Award Winning Documentary on the Life and Work of American Artist Ralph Fasanella
DVD: $20.00 each, plus $3.99 s & h BUY TWO for $30.00 (One for you and one for a school in your name)
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Support the Labor Heritage Foundation in their effort to purchase the original Fasanella painting, "The Corner Butcher," in order to donate it to the Smithsonian Museum for its permanent collection as a tribute to Fasanella and the American labor movement.
Note: Any funds over what we need will go to purchasing copies of the documentary for high school social studies and art classrooms. |
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