By Ethan Jones, ’25
The Chaminade Art Club helped to get this trimester off to a strong start, hosting a seminar with the 2007 Chaminade graduate and accomplished artist, Vincent Stracquadanio, ‘07. Students from all grade levels gathered in the art room after school on a cold January afternoon to participate in a tantalizing discussion about Stracquadanio’s career as a student, artist and college professor.
All were excited to learn about the inner workings of the art world, with junior Keith Carney eager to learn “how to have a career in art, and what artists do for a living”. After perusing some of the works that Stracquadanio generously displayed, the room fell to an anticipatory silence as the presentation began. During the nearly two hour lecture, Stracquadanio delved into his education, his journey in art, and his life as an artist, sharing pictures of some of his art and tracing the evolution he experienced as an artist.
Graduating Chaminade in 2007, Stracquadanio showed immense promise as an artist from an early age. Stracquadanio was a member of the Art Club and worked in set design for school drama productions, the latter earning him the prestigious Darby Award. During his time at Chaminade, Stracquadanio was inspired and supported by many faculty members and teachers, most notably Fr. Ernest, Mr. Cuomo, and Mr. Marenghi. Fr. Ernest was named in special consideration, as he and Stracquadanio shared a strong bond in the arts forged during his four years on the Set Construction Crew. After graduating Chaminade, Stracquadanio attended Fordham University, where he was inclined to major in art after seeing art professors able to both make art and earn a living.
After graduating Fordham, Stracquadanio spent 5 years working at a magazine company. Still feeling a pull towards a career in the arts, Stracquadanio enrolled in the acclaimed Yale School of Art, with a painting discipline. During this time, Stracquadanio explained, he grew tremendously as an artist, a fact vividly illustrated through his impressive thesis exhibit. In his exhibit, Stracquadanio explores repeating symbolism and storytelling through his paintings. After graduating, Stracquadanio continued his career as an artist, amassing an impressive portfolio of works, including canvas paintings, large wall murals, graphite and ink drawings, and even a painting using a bedsheet as a canvas. Stracquadanio has displayed his art in multiple exhibits in New York City, Chicago and beyond, Stracquadanio also teaches, not only to college students at his alma mater, Fordham University, but also children on the autism spectrum, adults with memory issues, and children throughout lower-income areas of New York City.
Vincent Stracquadanio’s story serves as a beautiful testimony to the idea of following your dreams and staying authentic to yourself. His hard work and dedication to his craft led to his success as both an artist and educator. When asked what he recommends for students looking to pursue a career in the arts, his words were simple, but powerful: “Keep up the practice”. Stracquadanio stressed the importance of pursuing and practicing, a lesson that could be applied to any field or any part of life. Stracquadanio’s art itself is a declaration of authenticity, as he incorporates some of himself in all of his work, whether it be his interest in architecture and history, his Italian heritage, or his Catholic Education. All of Chaminade thanks Vincent Stracquadanio for his enriching discussion and all he adds to the budding community of young artists within Chaminade.
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