EASTPORT – When the coronavirus outbreak brought international travel to a near standstill, Italian artist Vittoria Chierici reconsidered where she would ride out the pandemic.
The Italian artist used to travel regularly to New York, Milan and Eastport to work on different projects.
“We don’t know when it will all be over so I had to adjust myself and leave me to find wonderful things without traveling,” said Vittoria Chierici, artist.
Chierici discovered Eastport in 2017 after completing a project in Stonington.
She immediately fell in love with the ocean view and the light she believed was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci.
“The light of this place is unique. I think Eastport colors or the colors of Eastport is amazing. I saw things I never saw before in the ship in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Chierici.
Chierici turned a pop-up shop into a pop-up gallery, displaying her artwork behind windows to the community.
One of her pieces was also featured in the Eastport Art Walk, which is a map of the town locations of galleries.
According to Chierici, the COVID-19 pandemic helped her grow as an artist.
“I like pop-up shows because they allow you to show your work and show it as soon as you finish. I don’t have to wait on a waiting list like a gallery,” said Chierici.
Chierici is currently working on the colors of Eastport and only uses recycled items for her projects.
She hopes to continue to connect with the beauty of Eastport and collaborate with local and international artists in the future.