John Melillo, Vietnam veteran and local artist, will be at the Southampton Arts Center on Saturday, November 9, at 2 p.m. to offer a presentation on his artistic journey and his progression of healing through art.
Melillo, a contemporary realist painter, grew up on the East End. As a disabled Vietnam veteran he uses painting as a solace and healing mechanism from PTSD.
“Art saved me,” said Melillo who paints two themes — the East End landscape and the “Lighter Side of Vietnam.” Through a compelling presentation of art and video, Melillo will take the audience through his personal history on the East End (his family settled in Southampton in 1910, around the corner from SAC, and they still reside there today). These memories of the East End have fed his art, an inspiration he calls a “Tom Sawyer Adventure.” He will share his South Fork seascape paintings that have evolved to capture his unique experiences of fishing the waters of the East End as well as landscapes he remembers beginning in the 1950s.
Melillo will also take the audience through his “Life Goes on Series” where he paints from original photos he took from 1970 to 1972 during his tour of duty in the Army during the Vietnam War, as well as his “Flag” series that represents comradery throughout the community. Each year he paints a new flag to represent inspiration and thank all for their service.
Melillo’s paintings continue to evolve as he continues to challenge himself to bring the viewer on a journey.
Southampton Arts Center is at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton. Visit southamptoncenter.org for details.
Staff Writer on Nov 1, 2024