National Post Card Week is celebrated annually during the first full week of  May.  Since 1991, I have been a participant, sending out a post card usually based on one of my manhole cover  relief works. See my collection:  Bobbi Mastrangelo- Postcards -“The Grate Works” -transforms manhole covers, sewers and grates into artistic streetscapes.I exchange post cards with over 130 post card pen pals and save their creations in binder notebooks. Demaris Swint has posted the 2013 NPCW cards: http://www.nationalpostcardweek.com/2013.php

Many fascinating themes can be viewed on this website: National Postcard Week 2013 – Postcard Swap (Exchange) – ButterflyInTheAttic

About “City of Orlando”  Even before I became a full time resident of Florida, The Orlando Museum of Art, was a favorite “tourist site” with its fascinating art collections. Loch Haven Park’s adjacent antique brick roadway was artful as well.

“City of Orlando” was exhibited in their competition: “Sculpture, the Ultimate Process.” http://bobbimastrangelo.com/MyNews/?p=2200  on January 5, 2012 along with “Buckeye Water Meter Pit Cover” and “Reuse.” Bobbi Mastrangelo-Gallery-Sculpture Relief Small.

How did I create the sculpture relief: “City of Orlando?”  Why did Susan Raff become my “Grate Works” apprentice?  Grate Thoughts » Blog Archive » The Creation of “City of Orlando,” Mastrangelo’s Sculpture Relief

P.S.  Your comments on my blog are very welcome or send me a post card.

Several months ago I was asked to donate an artwork for an appreciation gift to Azar Nafisi, one of the visiting authors at The 2013 Festival of the Literary Arts in Winter Park, Florida.  Winter With the Writers | Rollins College  I love culture and literary adventures, so I agreed to give an art work.  I also read two of her books.

Azar Nafisi is an Iranian Academic and best selling author who emigrated to the USA from Iran in 1997.  “Reading Lolita in Tehran” journals how Azar boldly inspired her devoted students in her home.  Together she and her young friends secretly explored the forbidden western classic writings including: Austin, Bronte, James and Nabokov.

 “Things I have been Silent About” is Azar’s story of growing up in Iran against a background of Iran’s political Revolution.  Her mother had a term in Parliament. Her father, once the Mayor of Tehran, was jailed when the next regime took over.

“In one way or another we articulate what has happened to us through the kind of people we become.” ~ Azar Nafisi.

Her quote reminded me of my father’s quote: “What you are, you teach!” ~ Herman Betschen.

Both of our fathers told us stories while growing up and they were life time learners. Azar’s Father, while in jail, studied French and German,  read classic literature and history, wrote poetry and painted.

I felt connected to Azar Nafisi and posted a comment on her web site:Azar Nafisi, Offical Website of the Author of Reading Lolita in Tehran.  I wrote how I enjoyed her literary works and how we both appreciated our fathers. I did not mention that she would be receiving one of my art works.

Azar Nafisi

Intern Writers and Professors at Rollins College: Winter Park FL

On Thursday, February 28, 2013, I attended the afternoon session with the intern writers at Rollins College.  Azar Nafisi was a charming and witty mentor to the students. She was delighted with the framed giclee print “When the People Care.”  

It turns out that she had visited my web site after I wrote on her blog. “When the People Care,” was on my home page at that time and Azar told me how much she had admired that piece.  She gave me a warm hug and signed her books in Persian for me. The Evening Session at Tiedtke Concert Hall, was totally inspiring. Thanks to Randi Cruz, The Rollins Intern who arranged for the art donation, meeting Azar Nafisi was a memorable adventure.