rita cipalla

When visitors arrive on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington, they are greeted by a stunning Gothic masterpiece that dwarfs many of the surrounding buildings — Suzzallo Library. Gaze upwards and notice the library’s 18 terra cotta figures, …

More than a century ago, Italian immigrants who had settled in the lush green valleys outside Walla Walla in eastern Washington perfected a sweet onion.  Once considered just a humble local variety, the Walla Walla onion today is prized for …

Seattle’s Italian Cultural Center opens after months of planning After months of planning and hard work, fueled by the efforts of many volunteers, Casa Italiana—Italian Cultural Center officially opened on May 29, 2021.  When fully realized, the new Italian cultural …

Whether creating elaborate window displays, winning awards at flower shows, or helping launch the Italian Commercial Club a century ago, the Rosaia Brothers – Palmiro, Felix and George – brought energy, determination and, above all, a sense of beauty to …

Black truffles and hazelnuts, Rainier cherries and rosebuds, rhubarb root and Willamette Valley hops. Although this may sound like a grocery list for your local farmer’s market, you might be surprised to know these organic ingredients form the basis of …

Edo Vanni was as feisty as they come.  Some called him a firebrand; others, a hothead. His wife once said he could start a fight in an empty room. How much of that headstrong nature was just for show is …

Migration is an expansive concept with many applications and gradations of meaning. For some, the word is closely tied with parents or grandparents immigrating to the United States from Italy or another country. Others attuned to the natural world think …

If you’re looking for a family whose roots in the museum and art world run deep, you’d be hard-pressed to find one with more extensive experience than the Bufano family. Some might say a bit of showmanship rubbed off as …

Leonardo da Vinci was a remarkable genius, a man of far-reaching and extraordinary talents. Although we often think of him as an artist, he produced only about 20 paintings before he died in 1519. The majority of his career was …

This October, two site-specific installations by Italian artists were unveiled in some of Seattle’s most highly trafficked areas.  In the new Roosevelt Station, which opened to riders October 1 as part of the expanded Sound Transit system, New York-based artist …