Photo Opportunity until December 9, 2010 at 1914 Magazine St., New Orleans at Galeria Alegria
Call Stephán (504) 400-4603
Jackson, Mississippi, is the proud recipient of a new multi-purpose activity center in the former residence of the late Mayor Frank Melton. The center, located at Carters Grove #2, will hold a grand opening celebration on December 10, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. and all are welcome to attend! The center is owned by Mrs. Joyce Caracci, who purchased the home of the late Mayor Melton and renovated it extensively. A number of festivities are scheduled for the opening, including the unveiling of a gorgeous mosaic piece featuring the Saint Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana. The mosaic, created by Stephán Wanger of New Orleans, contains over 125,000 Mardi Gras beads and is known as “Journey of a Reverie.”
The artwork is currently being framed and you can see it at Stephán's Gallery located at 1914 Magazine St.
Mrs. Caracci discovered Wanger while visiting her grandson in New Orleans. “Little Vic,” as he is affectionately known, owns and operates a Gelateria on 1912 Magazine Street. His next-door neighbor, Stephán Wanger, is an artist that creates unique mosaic pieces from used Mardi Gras beads. Mrs. Caracci was fascinated by Wanger’s work and commissioned the piece to be placed in the center. Mrs. Caracci and Little Vic’s grandfather, “Papa Vic,” celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at Parcomuseo Jalari, in Sicily, which is home to some of the world’s most beautiful mosaics. Papa Vic passed away in June, 2010, and Mrs. Caracci has named the community center “Jalari” to honor their beautiful memories of Sicily.
Jalari was originally designed by architects from New Orleans in a French Canadian style. Mrs. Caracci enjoys the idea of blending New Orleans architecture with Jackson, Mississippi, and linking Jackson Square in New Orleans with the city. Both Jackson Square and Jackson, Mississippi are named for President Andrew Jackson.
Mrs. Caracci loves the way that Stephán Wanger’s mosaics blend her family’s Sicilian heritage with both cities, and Wanger is delighted to blend these ideas. In fact, Stephan’s work is all about blending, creating and recycling used Mardi Gras beads and other recycled items to reflect such New Orleans scenes as Cafe’ du Monde and Oak Alley Plantation.
You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Jalari, Jackson’s newest activity center. For more information, contact Mrs. Caracci at 601-956-5468 or Stephan Wanger at 504-400-4603 or Vic Caracci at 504-638-2088.
