The Signature
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Sigonella NAVSUP FLC sailor Kristin Ceresola (right) recently presented a artwork donation to the Principal Maria Paola Iaquinta of the Catania “Cesare Battisti” School (left). Photo by Robert Foti.
Sigonella Sailor Donates Artwork to Catania Battisti School
By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
W
hen the students of the Catania “Battisti” School return in September after the coronavirus pandemic, they will find a special gift from the big heart of Kristin Ceresola, a Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Sailor with an artistic talent. The gift is a farm scene made of paper, recycled materials, watercolor paints, and pen. Ceresola’s first idea to create the paper farm came from enjoying looking at the beautiful views of Sicily, especially Mount Etna and the many farm landscapes. She explained she wanted to create an art piece that would show the many layers of farm life, making the environment a three-dimensional display. Her overall goal was to inspire children to use their imagination and be creative. “Since COVID-19 started, it has impacted all of us,” explained Ceresola. “I wanted to use my time by giving back to my community. I wanted to donate my artwork to local elementary school because they are our future. To creatively inspire the children and to help them learn about what’s outside of the cityscape by showing the importance of agriculture and farm land.” Ceresola coordinated the project through the community relations program who put her in touch with the Istituto Comprensivo “Cesare Battisti” in Catania, a school located in the city’s working-class neighborhood of San Cristoforo.
NAS Sigonella has supported the school for about ten years with volunteer maintenance projects and language intercultural community relations (COMREL) events, and the longstanding relationship continued this month despite the lockdown, which has shut down schools in Italy. Base volunteers from the Naval Hospital and the Marines have been facilitating virtual English and Spanish virtual classes to help the students improve their foreign language skills. “By creating this piece of artwork, I wanted to show how farms are very important in the local economy and how farms impact everyone,” added Ceresola. “My hope is for children to enjoy the details such as the animals and people working on the farm. We should all take a moment to enjoy the beauty that is around us all.” The donation took place on Wednesday, May 27. Battisti School Principal Maria Paola Iaquinta warmly welcomed Kristin, who was accompanied by Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation facilitator Richard Graves. “I’d like to thank both the artist and the NAS Sigonella base volunteers who donated their time and talents to support the children of my school,” said Iaquinta. “I was so overwhelmed by their kindness in this very difficult time of pandemic and social distancing.”
