Artistic Statement: I am a sculptor at heart; I also paint, whenever I am able… My goal is to bring life to a piece, so it almost breathes.

  Education & Influences: Drawing & modeling in clay as a child, my earliest influence came at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia. A HS Creative Arts Prize at graduation, led to a full scholarship to Rosemont College; perhaps the first artist in school history to be known as a ‘Sculptor’ (not a painter), professor Lovro FIndrik commented (as I cast a life-size figure for my 2-man senior show) -- “Iacovelli,” he said, “you sculpt like man.” For 5 years after college, I studied sculpture intensely at the Fleisher Art Memorial (an affiliate of Phila. Museum of Art) with Frank Gasparro (Chief Engraver for the US Mint for 50+ years), who taught me how to capture motion quickly in a sculpture. We’d do a clay ‘croquis” (quick sketch) from the model, then tear it down, doing a fresh one every time. An Academy grad himself, his key lesson was to get the motion right – no amount of surface quality and detail can overcome a sculpture that has no ‘life’ at its core. He recommended me for a scholarship to attend the PA Academy of the Fine Arts and study portraiture, with Alex Hyromych (whom Frank had trained), and the figure, with Tony Greenwood -- a master in his use of casting resins and polychroming. Tony’s ‘recipe’ for making cold plaster or irregularly colored resin look like bronze or terra cotta was a revelation, a priceless lesson I use continually today.

  Two other US sculptors had a profound influence on my work. Philadelphia sculptor Arlene Love, a master of figurative resin sculpture, was our judge for the Academy’s Stewardson Sculpture Prize – a 3 day, ‘speed’ competition with a model, constructing a 36” figure in the round. Gasparro prepared me well for this; when I took the Prize, Ms. Love said my figure ‘brimmed with movement – ready to step right off the stand.” I remember that, as I begin each new piece. I was also mentored by Domenico Facci, renowned sculptor/teacher, who suggested I submit my portfolio to the National Sculpture Society in NYC; he beamed with pride when the NSS Jury presented me with its President’s Prize, as “Best Upcoming Sculptor under 35.” I kept in touch with Signore Facci until his death, a few years back.

  Exhibitions: National Sculpture Society, Knickerbocker Club, Catherine Lorrilard Art Competition – Ursinus College, Juried – Villanova University “Ten on the Figure” invitational show (only sculptor) – Rosemont College invitational, 3 man show; Two-Man show, Tremellen Gallery, Lancaster,PA; Arts on the Mall Juried show (Alcoa Park) and numerous other juried exhibitions. I am currently showing at the Ocean City Fine Arts League, in Ocean City, NJ, and am negotiating with a gallery in Long Island for a one-man show there.