Italian Ceramics and Nativities made in the U.S.A.

This Roman 'San Michele'  Church Nativity Diorama was first built in 2005.

It was 172 sq. feet, and was a walk-around construction built by  a team of Diorama Artists together with  Susan Sogaro,  under the Direction of Maestro Binotto.

It is today  housed  in the Museum of Nativity Dioramas in San Gregorio, outside the Roman Capital city limits.

The Diorama  depicted herebelow is called Romano. 

The piece, the first entirely built in the United Sates by Resident Artist Susan Sogaro,  has been showcased at the Heights Christmas Market and is currently on show at the Artist's Studio.

 It measures 36" wide and 21" deep with a height of 19".

As suggested by the name, this Diorama is  typically  Roman in both design and technique. As in most scenes of this type it depicts everyday activity such as a market scene, a shop, and a homemaker with a baby.

The focal point is of course the Nativity scene nestled underneath the Roman arches. It is lit by a small 'lumino' light that mimics what would have been a candle on a small base. Inside the dwelling and in the shop as well as on the street are tiny lights that the Artist and Technical Department have created to enhance the individual scenery.

All items are hand crafted and painted except for the figurines that are Italian imports.

Items  shown  here below such as fruit, vegetables and eggs, are all hand crafted by the Artist.  This is a detail of the market scene of Romano.

This Diorama  is in fact a smaller, home size version,  of the big Church Diorama seen above.

Lo Storico

The Bethlehem scene below is Susan Sogaro's most eloquent Diorama. It is 40" wide, 20.5" deep and is just 15" in height.

The scene is that of 'any day' in the town of Bethlehem. There is a Temple in the foreground. In it a Priest is explaining the Talmud,  and in the Women's Court an elderly woman is listening on her knees. At the arch, another woman is hurrying to join her.

Behind the Temple are Herdsmen talking;  their camels resting in the shade. A water trough satisfies the thirst of many.

Shepherds are hurrying to the scene;  as they have been told of the Happening. 

Unlike most Nativity scenes that have the statues in European attire, in this Diorama  the figurines are  dressed in Traditional garments of that Historic setting.

Notice the torches along the streets, and all the lights that enhance the inside of  the buildings.

Lo Storico is the winner of 3rd. place in the Roman Regional contest for Artistic Dioramas of 2006.

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South Western Diorama

 Pueblo – statues of 7 ¼ inches – Private Collection

Inspired by the Pueblos of New Mexico, the construction is composed of a large cliff

upon which the town is constructed in 3 different receding levels.

The Nativity is housed in the grotto  at the bottom,  within the cliff.

Native American Village – statues of 10 ¾ inches – Private Collection

The Native Indian inhabitants of the South West  comprised several tribes.

The Artist has used a general reference so as to be impartial and respect all cultures present.

The Statues are imposing; hence only 2 Tepees have been constructed,

of 2 separate types though bearing  some historic relevance in their construction

and aesthetics.

Mission of San Antonio – Statues of  8 ¾ inches – Private Collection

The last segment of this Diorama is the Mission as it stood in the early days, prior to becoming the Fort of Alamo, as it is known today. It is in the background, at the far left hand corner, at an almost diagonal so as to close off the construction in the same way as the Pueblo on the opposite corner.

The construction, reduced for space constraints,  suggests the coloring and details of the original Mission façade, including Religious statues in the appropriate niches. The interior, bearing the typical 18-19^th Century austere furnishings could suggest a reenactment of the last supper in the upper room. The table is laid with bread and wine being just visible to the keen observer with several  chairs set along the sides. Religious paintings are on the bare walls to remind the Missionaries of the Lord’s Passion, while above one single light illuminates the scene form a wooden carved ceiling.

To the front of the Mission is a trail, with one wagon parked as at rest. Next to the fountain and near a small candle is the unique  Nativity which has Mary lying next to the Manger  with Joseph at her side. Other figurines are converging, and one in particular stands out as he is a monk, leaning forward to savor this unique moment.