Yesterday and Today
13/01/10 12:50 Filed in: Benedum Gallery
Yesterday and Today
Religious symbols of the Old Testament PRESS RELEASE
Yesterday and Today……Religious Symbols of the Old Testament by former Morgantown resident and art teacher Salvatore “Sam” Madia is on exhibit in the Benedum Gallery of Monongalia Arts Center through January 30. The opening public reception will be held on Sunday, January 17, 1 – 3 pm with Madia on hand to discuss his art.
Madia was born in St. Giovanni in Florence, Italy in 1924. His mother died giving birth to him. His father came to America to start a new life as a barber in Morgantown, WV. In 1927, following his marriage to his second wife, he brought Sam from Italy to Morgantown; unfortunately, this happy reunion of father and son was short lived….Madia’s father died one month later from complications surrounding a WWI injury.
Madia remained in Morgantown, graduating with a degree in art from WVU in 1950 and receiving a Masters in art education the following year. He went on to teach art at Suncrest Middle School and taught adult evening classes in painting and drawing as well as summer art classes at Glenville State College. In 1955 he accepted a position at WVU in their department of education. Madia then went on to teach art and industrial education for 11 years at University High School. In 1965 he moved to Pennsylvania and began his 21-year career with California State College. His students were always a great motivation for Madia to try to excel in his own creativity. He prides himself in the fact that he is aware of 24 art teachers who are his former students as well as several others who went on to become professional artists or illustrators. Madia retired from teaching in 1984 and currently resides in Coal Center, PA.
Having had 14 solo exhibits in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as paintings in private collections across America, Madia’s style of expression is always evolving, bringing a new experience to the viewer. During these last 15 years, he has worked primarily in acrylics and devoted all of his time to creating religious paintings. One of the first challenges was to appropriately illustrate the miracles performed by Jesus throughout his life. Madia has plans to continue this style of artwork since he finds it very educational and a challenge to express.
Another passion of Sam Madia’s is staying healthy and being competitive. He attended his first National Senior games at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1978. Ever since that time he has competed regularly with the U.S. Track & Field and Senior Games at the State and National levels. Madia has made all-American in one or more of his age groups every year for 32 years. At At age 85 why does Sam Madia keep competing and creating? “To maintain his composure and stay healthy.
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