Brooklyn, NY – Jan. 10, 2005 - "Mystical Connections", an exhibit in celebration of Black History Month, by Janet Smith Castronuovo will be on display from Monday, January 24, 2005 through Thursday, March 10, 2005 in the Alumni Room Gallery, St. Joseph’s College, 245 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The opening artist reception will take place Monday, Jan. 31 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. A gallery tour and discussion with Castronuovo will take place on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at 12:40 PM. All events are free and open to the public.

The Alumni Room Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM and Thursday 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Admission is free of charge. Castronuovo’s work reflects her Southern upbringing and her extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe. Described as relief or woodcut collage, she developed this technique 20 years ago while pursuing her Master's Degree in fine art at the University of Wisconsin. The process involves cutting and assembling wood grain patterns printed onto a variety of Japanese papers.

“The cut shapes create the nuances and gestures of the human form while representing the energetic current of an individual's thoughts, moods and personality. These works demonstrate the power of the human spirit to understand and break through the barriers of physical misinterpretations of our spiritual connection,” states Castronuovo.

Founded by Sister Elizabeth A. Hill, CSJ, J.D., president, the St. Joseph’s College Council for the Arts is a coalition of students, faculty members and staff who serve as a focal point for St. Joseph’s College’s educational and community outreach programming in the arts. By expanding and integrating campus arts activities, the Council seeks to enhance the public image of the College as a cultural center in Brooklyn and aims to make arts and cultural events more accessible to its students and area neighbors. For more information about this exhibit or other upcoming cultural events at the College's Brooklyn campus, please call (718) 783-0374.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE

St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value–oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in 21 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre–professional programs through its School of Arts and Sciences and its School of Adult and Professional Education. Graduate degrees are also offered including an Executive MBA, a Master of Science in Management, and a Master of Arts in Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Special Education.