Franco's House

Throughout my life, many experiences have taught me the transcendent ability of art in building connections and community. While studying abroad in Italy in a small hilltop town called Orvieto, we were instructed to create a large plein air drawing in conté—essentially on-site drawing with a medium similar to charcoal. I chose a small alleyway, with an arch house as the subject. This experience, with my knees on the cobblestone and my hands colored black, provided me ample opportunity to interact with the locals. Pretty soon, I met Franco, a small older Italian man who spoke not a lick of English. We communicated through pointing, placating nods, and drawing. We quickly became friends as I learned it was his arch house in the alleyway. He greeted me every day with a load of fresh pastries and Italian sodas. Our relationship evolved; it is not easily put into words and quite ineffable as the foundations of our connection are not through words but through art and generosity. By the end of my semester, Franco brought his whole family and a large bouquet to my Mostra (exhibition), and four weeks later, we exchanged farewell gifts and tearful goodbyes. I still keep in touch with Franco. Despite the language barrier, distance, and time difference, our connection remains. As a foreigner, I am not always welcome in spaces or small communities, yet, time and time again, art has bridged any barrier and every wall I have faced.