I have had extraordinary mentors and opportunities in my life, and now post-brain tumor, I want to give back. I have been told in the past that I have inspired others, and that I have made a difference in their lives. Now I want to do so on a much greater level.
My legacy is not the numerous design awards I have received, nor my products, furniture and drawings which are in the permanent collections of several museums, but it is the not for profit foundation I have founded: a Brain Tumor and a Dream. There is an abandoned building ( ex-church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, which I am in the process of restoring into a Center for Inspiration. My first post-op visit to Caltabellotta I immediately understood that I exist to “restore“ the ex-church, and the ex-church exists to “restore“ me.
I have been fortunate to have had a stellar design career, but my teaching experiences have been the most rewarding. I do not like the word teaching, but prefer facilitating, because to me it is not important to turn a student into a clone of me, but to recognize and nourish each of their unique gifts and skills. Teaching is really the act of giving back, and inspiring the next generation. The greatest reward is when students have told me that I have made a difference and inspired them.
In affiliation with design schools ad universities, this Center for Inspiration will focus on student usage: Summer workshops for the months of July and August, with the remaining months for professionals and professors in art, design, architecture and the creative arts, along with supporters of this foundation. This Center for Inspiration will also be used for cultural events.
The students experience will be genuine. There is nothing pretentious about Caltabellotta. Caltabellotta and Sicily immediately embraces you and makes you feel at ease. When at ease, excellence is possible. In Caltabellotta, there are no distractions. What is uniquely special is the cloistered nature of the experience, where students are more or less living side by side with renowned designers, professors and faculty. Students will be immersed and rubbing shoulders with excellence.
This Center for Inspiration is located on a mountain top, with unobstructed views of the valley and coast. Inspirational by itself, but being immersed in all the creative energy and experience, each student will absorb and utilize throughout their entire creative life.
I strongly believe in the diversity of the students from different backgrounds and countries, is one of the most meaningful advantage to creative education. Students work together in multidisciplinary project groups. These collaborations are dynamic and promote an inspiring exchange of cultures, ideas, and solutions. As a student they will not only learn from their professors, projects, but also from their classmates. Working as a community as a whole, each student will discover the value of both individual and collective input, and that communal development is very rewarding. It is all about shared interests, creative interaction, and valuable personal exchange.
Students will continually be mentored by international renowned professionals and professors throughout the entire design process. There will be a constant and fluid dialogue with each student and the group as a whole, to ensure each students progress.
A Brain Tumor and a Dream is the most important, most meaningful endeavour in my life. I am truly inspired and I know that everyone involved will share the inspiration. I am relying on the generous help from others, on many levels. The success of A Brain Tumor and a Dream will be the result of everyone’s contribution.
the above categories:
a Brain Tumor: I am openly, and unguardedly sharing my brain tumor experience, because we all have something which had, is, or will challenge us, and only positive things can be the outcome of sharing our experiences. If the reader has been recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, any other tumor, cancer, or life threatening illness, perhaps reading about my experience may give them a sense of support and strength, and some positivity, even laughter during a very trying time in their life, especially during recovery / “survivorship”.
and a Dream: Photos, my project sketches and details for the restoration of an abandoned building ( ex- church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, into a Center for Inspiration.
donation / contribution / store: Your supporting this foundation is greatly appreciated, and by doing so, you will have helped inspire many people.
contact: see contact page
my design career: Legitimizes my design and project management skills, and resources, for my managing the restoration of an abandoned building ( ex-church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, into a Center for Inspiration.
the power of nature: I have always been thankful for all my opportunities, and have never taken a second for granted. I have always respected nature, understanding that it gives as well as takes. This specific story involves my helicopter rescue in the Austrian Alps. When I think of my surviving a brain tumor, I first think of the fact that I should have been found in the Spring thaw, if I was not rescued by helicopter. The day started with clear skies and sunshine, perfect conditions, but out of nowhere nature seemed to turn on a dime. Nature finds its ways to stop us in our tracks, put everything into perspective, and at times seriously challenging us. We cannot escape the power of nature, so we might as well try to embrace it.
My legacy is not the numerous design awards I have received, nor my products, furniture and drawings which are in the permanent collections of several museums, but it is the not for profit foundation I have founded: a Brain Tumor and a Dream. There is an abandoned building ( ex-church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, which I am in the process of restoring into a Center for Inspiration. My first post-op visit to Caltabellotta I immediately understood that I exist to “restore“ the ex-church, and the ex-church exists to “restore“ me.
I have been fortunate to have had a stellar design career, but my teaching experiences have been the most rewarding. I do not like the word teaching, but prefer facilitating, because to me it is not important to turn a student into a clone of me, but to recognize and nourish each of their unique gifts and skills. Teaching is really the act of giving back, and inspiring the next generation. The greatest reward is when students have told me that I have made a difference and inspired them.
In affiliation with design schools ad universities, this Center for Inspiration will focus on student usage: Summer workshops for the months of July and August, with the remaining months for professionals and professors in art, design, architecture and the creative arts, along with supporters of this foundation. This Center for Inspiration will also be used for cultural events.
The students experience will be genuine. There is nothing pretentious about Caltabellotta. Caltabellotta and Sicily immediately embraces you and makes you feel at ease. When at ease, excellence is possible. In Caltabellotta, there are no distractions. What is uniquely special is the cloistered nature of the experience, where students are more or less living side by side with renowned designers, professors and faculty. Students will be immersed and rubbing shoulders with excellence.
This Center for Inspiration is located on a mountain top, with unobstructed views of the valley and coast. Inspirational by itself, but being immersed in all the creative energy and experience, each student will absorb and utilize throughout their entire creative life.
I strongly believe in the diversity of the students from different backgrounds and countries, is one of the most meaningful advantage to creative education. Students work together in multidisciplinary project groups. These collaborations are dynamic and promote an inspiring exchange of cultures, ideas, and solutions. As a student they will not only learn from their professors, projects, but also from their classmates. Working as a community as a whole, each student will discover the value of both individual and collective input, and that communal development is very rewarding. It is all about shared interests, creative interaction, and valuable personal exchange.
Students will continually be mentored by international renowned professionals and professors throughout the entire design process. There will be a constant and fluid dialogue with each student and the group as a whole, to ensure each students progress.
A Brain Tumor and a Dream is the most important, most meaningful endeavour in my life. I am truly inspired and I know that everyone involved will share the inspiration. I am relying on the generous help from others, on many levels. The success of A Brain Tumor and a Dream will be the result of everyone’s contribution.
the above categories:
a Brain Tumor: I am openly, and unguardedly sharing my brain tumor experience, because we all have something which had, is, or will challenge us, and only positive things can be the outcome of sharing our experiences. If the reader has been recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, any other tumor, cancer, or life threatening illness, perhaps reading about my experience may give them a sense of support and strength, and some positivity, even laughter during a very trying time in their life, especially during recovery / “survivorship”.
and a Dream: Photos, my project sketches and details for the restoration of an abandoned building ( ex- church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, into a Center for Inspiration.
donation / contribution / store: Your supporting this foundation is greatly appreciated, and by doing so, you will have helped inspire many people.
contact: see contact page
my design career: Legitimizes my design and project management skills, and resources, for my managing the restoration of an abandoned building ( ex-church ) in Caltabellotta Sicily, into a Center for Inspiration.
the power of nature: I have always been thankful for all my opportunities, and have never taken a second for granted. I have always respected nature, understanding that it gives as well as takes. This specific story involves my helicopter rescue in the Austrian Alps. When I think of my surviving a brain tumor, I first think of the fact that I should have been found in the Spring thaw, if I was not rescued by helicopter. The day started with clear skies and sunshine, perfect conditions, but out of nowhere nature seemed to turn on a dime. Nature finds its ways to stop us in our tracks, put everything into perspective, and at times seriously challenging us. We cannot escape the power of nature, so we might as well try to embrace it.
