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Show by BARBARA CLARKE i di Rosa DdiVGrS for Emerging Artists Unknown artists traditionally find it hard to Ka Ai all Aw fkliferma Biw Kca hflpxrl rKangf wpJhM dw.DiRraa. a fimerBNgaYilfcy grape grow turned art collector; has for nearly 20 years been dkarsparadey the week of emerging regional anises by buyiqg their varies and pviqg tkaa pattk exposure at his Napa art muniin. Batfcasa Sudani. a IVyear vena; is one of many di Rosa has helped. Las Srpaerebe, Seafood deckled k was time id show her work to the public jml sgped am forabr Kjra ViDey Open Studio tour; where kxal artists invite die public ion dor waakwte. Soxfcnc shows and audio nun are among di Rack's fi-r-rirr ijTTff-fnTr-- ir di Rosaesnered bersnwSw an die bat day of die tour. He quietly canvassed her wearing ami jammim ant tided A flaky Rag, ntn from hone, goat, and llama Ink T3rar ue, hr aid. padnuig die wade. And (hen he left. DI Kota, tfa champion of unraropriwil artiri wWi ona of tha pincaa a Me art JiKT lilar thar," mralU Sraflhiri, trill ammntl 1 hnm't wally had ggarmnfidcnce in my work. The validation he gave me, and the impetus to continue, is such a gift. I think him far that." Stafford's work joins 2,000 other an objects in di Rosa's eolketioa mast of them paintings, photographs, and sculptures which represents mote than 700 area artists. Di Rosa limits his collection to non hem California an to keep it regional. Many larger pieces are permanently displayed, while new works and old favorites rotate on a regular basis. Now in his 80s, di Rosa, bom in Boston and a Yale graduate, lived in Europe as a young man before moving to San Francisco as a newspaper; reporter in die 1 960s. Following a passion to work the land, however, he moved to Napa, purchased 460 acres, and began growing grapes. Di Rosa's offbeat approach to life is reflected in his determination to successfully grow pinoc noir grapes on difficult terrain. He not only succeeded, but the pinot noir grape cultivation continues to this day. While learning about viticulture (gape cultivation) at the University of California in Davis, di Rosa began forming the nucleus of his associations with artists whose work he began to purchase. For small amounts of money, he found he could help support new and as yet unacknowledged artists, lb finance his burgeoning passion, di Rosa sold all but 50 acres of his vineyards in 1986 and, along with his wife artist Veronica diRora bgan devoting his life to collecting. The preserve consists of a none winery diRosak former residence and later a gallery aevcral newer buildings, lush gardens, and a re lake in a picturesque setting. Dozens of peacocks wander freely on the grounds and a tram travels from building to building, as guides conduct tours passenger bus-lik-e and answer questions about the preserve and its art. Di Rosa often quietly appears at the scan ofa tour and gives his own take on the preserve. He stays to answer questions but mostly to experience visitors' reactions. My greatest pleasure is seeing the public smile when they see a piece and also to see them weep. Then I know my collection is truly resonating with them." Di Rosa feels a personal connection with his art collection. Tve never sold a piece I've collected. How could I? he admits. 1 feel the same affection for die artist and the work as the day it arrived and couldn't possibly say goodbye." William Allan, an internationally recognized painter ftom San Rafael, Calif., says di Rosa is as dose to being an artist as you can get without being one. It's his passion that makes the preserve such .f H? ' a joyous place." For. information on visiting the di Rosa Art Preserve, cal Barkan Clarkt it afmUmct writer from Pert (707) 226599 f or jog onto Teauetd, Wash. www.tfiroscpreserve.org.;- ld 35-ac- VklviYaaOlncW tow BylotreePfone rer: 2-1808 flA raaijee.MaeaeeaiddefcllBHil HMoricMUs aTSLIhpt BMC HHtnpai Striae NY 11741 H3riaMSUBplfcarttcJirtaiaritwriCarillY (BiiMtakhrjMrnaNLdripriailtpwririffirlafiaatltN! laavanawaaS tWap COtlcCftwiiMiWriwaHkfcMte.WVIliBI I .! WKrcswernsisBsi Jm |