Aurelio Grisanty's Dear Milton exhibit opens July 31

The Milton Historical Society will host an exhibit of paintings created by Aurelio Grisanty during the seven years he has lived in Milton. An opening reception for the Dear Milton exhibit will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, July 31. Everyone is invited to attend, meet the artist and enjoy his interpretations with their variety of colors, styles and subject matter.

Grisanty moved to Milton after establishing himself as a fine artist with an international reputation. In 1999, the U.S. government awarded Grisanty with American citizenship as a Special Individual of International Renown designation. Locally, he is well known for his Beachtown poster series, including one of Milton created to benefit the MHS. It is available for purchase at the MHS museum.

However, his skill and artistic talents are most evident in his paintings, which have been shown in respected museums and galleries across the United States, as well as many countries around the world.

The retrospective exhibition at the museum shows the development of Grisanty's work in relation to Milton over the period of time from his move to Milton in 2008 to the present. The work includes his earlier acrylic on canvas pieces which were completed before the studio in his new home was finished and showed his appreciation for the beauty of the region, particularly the pond close to home.

As the years passed, Grisanty became more involved in the town, and his work reflected that interest with his depiction in watercolor of the historic homes in Milton. Grisanty calls those pieces his "divertimentos." Finally, after eight years, Grisanty's immersion in Milton has prompted him to create several large abstract paintings, one titled "The Emotional Map of the Town of Milton."

The Milton Historical Society is at 210 Union St. in downtown Milton. The exhibit will continue through Saturday, Sept 26. For more information, call 302-684-1010 or go to www.historicmilton.org.