Original painting by award-winning visual artist John Constanza, inspired by his attendance at Hedgerow.

In 1963, John experienced Hedgerow’s celebrated production of Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh, in its first revival in the Philadelphia region under the masterful direction of Lou Lippa. He embarked on a paint study as a result. Each of the resulting pieces is featured in the gallery on display at the Gala event. According to John, 'I was moved by O’Neill’s narration of one aspect of our society...humanity looking for hope and....sadly..... reasons for existence. It was such a spectacular production and acting that I cried.' The performance struck a significant chord with John, who was inspired to create a series of water color & ink, and oil paintings, several entitled What did you do to the booze, Hickey? In addition to an original painting in this series, John will welcome the auction winners to his home with Hedgerow Board member Sandy Stefanowicz and Hedgerow Executive Artistic Director Marcie Bramucci for refreshments and a studio tour. Studio visit to be scheduled at a time of mutual convenience.

John Costanza is a nationally recognized, award-winning painter and sculptor who lives in Bryn Mawr. He was born in New York City and became interested in art as a child exploring his thoughts and feelings about life with a paint brush and sculptor’s tools. Educated and trained at Temple University, Tyler School of Art, and the Art Students’ League in New York John was a professor at Moore college of art in Philadelphia and was the chairman of the Ceramics Department. He has exhibited in more than 30 one person shows and 35 two person shows at venues such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, the New York World’s Fair, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine arts, and the Delaware Museum of Art. John’s work is represented in many public and private collections including: Temple University, University of Delaware, Harcum, The Museum of the City of New York; the New York Historical Society, and Appalachian University, Many of John’s paintings are in realistic expressionist style reflecting social consciousness.