Exhibition: Shadows of Passage, July 4, 2026
TROPEArte: Accademia degli Archi, Largo Galluppi 12, Tropea (VV), Italy

In an act of humanitarian clarity, Pope Leo declined an invitation to the White House for the 4th of July celebrations in favor of visiting refugees and migrants on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa.

In solidarity, and in keeping with a previous memorial in honor of the unknown migrant who washed ashore in Tropea on February 17, TROPEArte: Accademia degli Archi decided to hold a day-long exhibition, including the very first art installation to feature at the arches, titled “Shadows of Passage,” by Caitlin Werrell and Francesco Femia. The installation includes three large painted wooden panels set within three of the stone arches, in the form of mythic silhouettes honoring the common, arduous, and often tragic journey made by many refugees and migrants: through “the Desert” (panel 1), “the Sea” (panel 2), and finally, for those who make it, to “the Shore.”

The exhibition also includes artwork by local artists on the theme of refugees and dignity, including by Claudio di Costanza, Irene Fazzari, Celeste Fortuna, Luca Grassi, and Giuseppe Murdaca.

Live music accompanying the exhibit is by Andrea Molfetta and Cia.PoesiaViva, featuring ten songs from the MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) interpreted by Afro-Brazilian artists.

PROGRAM

10:00 AM – 8:00 PM: All-day exhibition

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: An evening of music and art with Andrea Molfetta and Cia.PoesiaViva

RSVP required to info@tropearte.com