rita cipalla

When Italians found their way to the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of the 20th century, it was often to work in the coal mines, help build the railroads, or take on “pick and shovel” work as part of a …

When award-winning vintner Bob Betz was young, he wanted to be a doctor. But when he graduated in 1970 from the University of Washington and applied to medical school, he was wait-listed. It was a setback, of course, but Betz …

Natalia Di Pietrantonio has devoted her career to South Asian art but her family comes from very different parts of the world — her father is from Italy and her mother from Mexico. Attracted by art from an early age, Di …

Mild or spicy, made with fennel, anise or garlic, there’s nothing like a delicious Italian sausage. Just ask the Verone family, who has been in the sausage business for nearly 100 years. The company was started in 1923 by Joe …

Connections between sister cities can be expressed in different ways – student exchange programs, touring art exhibits, or in the case of Spokane and its sister city of Cagli, public sculptures on permanent display. Last fall, Spokane celebrated its newest sister city relationship …

Ten artists, two countries and one evocative theme: it all adds up to an extraordinary art exhibit that will go on display this September in Perugia, Italy. Known as the Migration Project, the international exhibition brings together a mix of …

The Migration Project, an international exhibition bringing together 10 artists from Seattle and Italy, will open in Perugia Sept. 2 through Oct. 9. Curated by Antonio Carlo Ponti, the exhibit can be seen at the Civic Museum, located in the Palazzo …

After canceling the 2020 season because of the pandemic, SIFF Cinema Italian Style returned to Seattle for a week in early November, showcasing 13 films to celebrate the festival’s 13th season.  “Seattle loves this festival,” declared SIFF’s Artistic Director Beth …

While many of us stayed close to home during the pandemic, forsaking travel and evenings out, others chose a different route. Take Kate Wheeler, a freelance cartoonist from Seattle. Wheeler’s parents retired to Italy six years ago. After dreaming for months …

For Italians, growing up in a household where one or both parents own a restaurant is not unusual. But how many Italians can claim that fast food pioneer Harlan Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame was a frequent house guest?   Seattle’s Dorene Centioli-McTigue, …