HWS News
9 May 2024 • Alums Provenzano Student Art Gallery Dedicated By Colin Spencer '19
Dominic Provenzano '72, P'04 was thanked for the impact the new student art gallery provides to the heart of campus.
With a gathering of student artists, Department of Art and Architecture faculty, staff and community members, the Domenica “Mini” Provenzano Student Art Gallery was recently dedicated on the first floor of the Scandling Campus Center.
“What a vision to bring the arts literally to our front door,” said President Mark D. Gearan in his opening remarks, extending thanks to the gallery’s benefactor Dominic Provenzano '72, P'04. “Every prospective student and their families, every visitor and guest, when they walk into our Scandling Campus Center, sees what we value and appreciate. And that’s the arts and the students’ role in them.”
Associate Professor of Art and Architecture Angelique Szymanek, the faculty adviser for the gallery when it first opened, thanked Provenzano for his vision as well. “The gift of this gallery has already changed the visibility and impact of the arts on this campus immeasurably. It has fostered new dynamic relationships, opened new avenues for skill building, innovation and leadership for students. And for faculty, this gallery has meant witnessing many of the lessons taught in the classroom and in the studio put into action.”
Since opening in 2022, the gallery has been run by students and serves to showcase their artwork in the heart of campus. This has included exhibits: “Savage Sensuality” with works by Jafri '24, and the opening Special Winter Exhibit of works by Yijun “Eugene” Cao '22 and Zhengrui “Mary” Wei '23. Other events have included Pop Up Art Markets, "Queeriousity" and "Unpacking Abroad."
The interns work together to design, curate, install, and promote all events in the space, providing students with a holistic exhibition experience to design, layout and curate.
Adriana Croce '25, who serves as a director of the gallery, said that “working in the gallery and watching it develop over time has, without a doubt, been one of the highlights of my time at the Colleges thus far. Not only has this position allowed me to learn technical skills related to the field, but it has helped solidify exactly what I want to do in the future.” In this article, she further reflects on her work.
A long-standing, staunch supporter of the Colleges, Provenzano has established multiple student prizes, book funds, and endowed and restricted funds at HWS. He works on Wall Street as an investment adviser. His daughter, Carmela Provenzano Rios, is a 2004 HWS graduate.
Provenzano said he was inspired to support the student art gallery by his aunt, who was an art teacher in Florida.
“[My aunt told me to] ‘Do it for the students,’” shared Provenzano with those gathered for the dedication. “‘Make sure they’re taken care of.’ [she said]. So that’s what we have here today.”
Students who direct or are interns at the gallery were also recognized at the dedication. They included Adriana Croce '25, Jafri '24, Lucas Johnson '24, Joy Nguyen '26, Román O. Vargas Garcia '24, and Gretchen Warner '24. Studio art students Lindsay Millard '27, Ingrid Miller '26, Eloise Rubert '27, Jess Sprole '27 and Manuela Taff-Friere '27 each won cash prizes sponsored by Provenzano for their artwork.
Domenica “Mini” Provenzano Student Art Gallery internships are available to all HWS students, regardless of their major. For questions and to keep up to date on upcoming events, please follow @provenzanogallery on Instagram.
Top: Dominic Provenzano '72, P'04 speaks during the dedication of the Domenica “Mini” Provenzano Student Art Gallery.
