Artist Memorial Retrospective:Rosalie Dalessandro

Rosalie(Brown) Dalessandro (1940-2017)
The woman, the artist, a Mother and a friend.

A retrospective exhibition in September 2019 will display the depth and fervent nature of Rose's art, as well as the resiliency Rose expressed throughout her life, both as an artist and as a person.  The art she created was due to her deep passion and her desire to create in a world where that is rarely seen anymore. The metaphors displayed in her works speak a great deal to the force that she embodied and the way she brought life and meaning into her work.  Each piece represents a trait or movement or emotion.

The goal of this presentation is in lieu of a funeral (Rose's request to forgo) and to pay homage to a fiery, strong and independent women in a way that her art deserves. The desire to display her work comes with the realization that galleries require funding to exhibit art.

The goal of $10,000 will provide the proper space to feature her body of work, for which Rose's estate is furnishing $2,500 to reserve a gallery space. While not all of her pieces in the retrospective will be for purchase,  there will be many for sale at this event in a Detroit gallery.

The largest donor of this fund raising effort will be gifted an example of Rose's work.  Any proceeds that exceed the goal set forth not needed for the show will be donated to the Van Elslander Cancer Center in GPW, MI, where Rose received treatment.

All who have known and loved Rose are appreciative of any level of contribution to provide the opportunity to display her life's work in a place where it can be viewed by family, friends, followers and the public with the care and respect it deserves.
 -Kendra Allen-Myers

ROSE DALESSANDRO: A VOICE TO HEED
Imagery of powerful women is in the philosophical subtext of Rose Dalessandro's art. Refusing the role of victim, she stood on her own in art and in her way of life, perhaps somewhat self-centeredly, but out of necessity to survive in a male dominated world. Her signature image of the shield implies protection from some dominating force to be transcended. Though highly aware of the struggle waged to hold up half the backward world, Rose never forfeited her loving nature. She remained a feisty activist, a voice to heed, as expressed through her art and the metaphors that emerged. Her art was not art for art's sake, but intersected boldly and forthrightly with the imperfect world about her.
 -Dennis Nawrocki


A message from a close personal friend,

I want to take a moment to talk about my dear friend, Rose. I first meet Rose way back in 1980. We crossed paths as artists. I was watching this petite Mediterranean women casting bronze in the  foundry. I was amazed at the sight.  Rose and I exchanged introductions and our friendship started there. For over 36 years we remained friends, flaws and all. Rose was selfish yet generous, intelligent but knowledge thirsty. She was aware of social movements but chose to use activism in the studio making art. Rose was liberal yet a dictator, known to command, “Go make art”. During small talk over coffee, I remember her saying,” life has a way of chewing you up and spitting you out”.  Rose refused to be a victim, no regrets,  and stood on her own regarding her art and way of life. Rose was somewhat self-centered but genuine. This was out of necessity to survive in such a domineering world.  Rose’s drawings and sculpture were reflective of her life.  Her images of wall mounted shields suggest protection and her female figures suggest those of Cycladic or Minoan art. Rose's final works were her black blooms made of clay that she named  “Mourning Flowers,” which she originated 5 years prior to her passing. Rose spent her life active in the Detroit art community.  Now is the time to tell her full story. The legacy of art that Rose produced needs to be shared. Family and friends have collectively decided to organize a Memorial Retrospective show. Can we look forward to your support? I believe we can.  Thank you for your time and most generous gift.        
Sincerely, James Waslowicz  
AKA Jimmy Waz   B.F.A.P. Collage for Creative Studies 1984    

 All of us who are contributing and collaborating on this Retrospective Exhibition in memory of Rose, would like to thank you in advance for your generosity.  Donations for this event will make this dream come true so we may honor such a creative, inspiring and influential woman.

To all of you she was a colleague, friend, or mentor. To me, she was Gram, so this is very personal for me. She not only shared her art with me but the gift of knowledge in the ways of the world. She taught and modeled for me how to use my strengths to help others who did not have what I was given. To share anything and everything I could with no benefit to myself. I love and miss her everyday since she has left my world.  If you can help make this happen, it would be a small part of what this incredible woman deserves.
-Dean W. Myers

With Gratitude for your time & donations, from all of us, Thank you!
Therese Myers & Family, Dean Myers & Kendra Allen-Myers, Dennis Nawrocki, Jimmy Waz, Larry Sparks, Jon Catenacci & Carolyn Lautzenheiser.

Article after her passing