Antonio Cirino (1897-1983)

Painter, craftsperson, writer, teacher, and designer Antonio Cirino was born in Serino, Italy, in 1888. He came to America at the age of two and settled with his family in Providence, Rhode Island. Cirino studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and returned there to teach after earning a degree in Education at the Teacher’s College of Columbia University in 1912. He summered in Rockport, Massachusetts beginning in 1921, and was a founding member of the Rockport Art Association. He exhibited there as well as at the Providence Art Club, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Ogunquit Art Center in Maine, and the RISD Museum. Cirino remained devoted to teaching and to painting throughout his life. He also authored books on jewelry making, its history and design and contributed to art magazines. He died in 1982.