C&T Publications 50 States of Art - 2015 | Page 66

Barbie Corbett-Newmin - Florida Barbie Corbett-Newmin sold her first oil painting when in college. She has since dabbled in and sold water colors, ceramics, copper enameling, and photography, which is now her joy. Her professional graphic arts experience was as employee or owner of award-winning Detroit advertising agencies. She served on the Board of the Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, Michigan. She is a member of the Arts and Humanities Council of Charlotte County, FL and is currently exhibiting at the United Way office and booked through 2016 in their Art in Public Places Program. Barbie lives in Southwest Florida and exhibits watercolors and photos in a gallery in Fort Myers and one in Punta Gorda, Florida. [email protected] http://barbara-corbett.artistwebsites.com Here is my piece. It is called 3 Doors in Bagnoregio. North of Rome, Italy, is the beautiful, ancient hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio. It's a wonderful scenic destination, and this shot of the three doors is a favorite memory. Sun, shadows and flowers in large pots accent the 3 wooden doors set in stone off the lovely main piazza. Bagnoregio, a comune or municipality in Viterbo Province in the Lazio region, about 90 km northwest of Rome, is situated on top of a rugged peak. There's a bridge now to ease what must have been extremely difficult access. Quick Facts: Civita di Bagnoregio was founded 2500 years ago by the Etruscans. The reason for building their towns in such a precarious location was due to the ease of defending against attackers, and the healthier atmosphere, as the lower land near the river was damp and marshy, making the area prone to floods and outbreaks of malaria. Civita and Bagnoregio were at one time parts of the same city, called Balneum Regis, which means “the bath of the king.” It was given this name by the Lombard king, Desiderious, when his wounds were healed by the waters of the hot springs nearby. Saint Bonaventure is the town's most famous past resident, who was born here under the name of Giovanni di Fidanza. He was one of the early members of the Franciscan order, and was also a medieval scholastic theologian, as well as a philosopher. One of the main forms of entertainment in Civita di Bagnoregio are the wild donkey races that are held in the months of June and September. The rock beneath which Civita sits is honeycombed with ancient cellars, as well as cisterns for collecting rain water. The town now has only about 6 permanent, year-round residents. 61