Il Cenacolo Italiano di Cleveland will celebrate its 95th Anniversary with a “Baroque Afternoon” on Sunday, June 4, 2023 in the ballroom of Judson Manor from 12 – 4 p.m. The highlight of the event will be a talk by Dr. Franco Mormando, professor of Italian and chairperson of the Dept. of Romance Languages and Literatures at Boston College, on “Bernini: The Artist Who Created Baroque Rome”. Italian ambiance including a formal Italian pranzo, a medley of Baroque music, and conferral of Il Cenacolo’s annual Borsa di Studio (scholarship awards) and honorary awards will further mark this legacy event. 

“The membership of Il Cenacolo Italiano di Cleveland is thrilled and honored to celebrate this milestone with Dr. Mormando” said Lisa Gasbarre Black, Esq., current president of Il Cenacolo Italiano di Cleveland. “Dr. Mormando possesses an impressive background. He has contributed significant, scholarly work related to Italian art and language and his academic pursuits on the life and influence of Gian Lorenzo Bernini are groundbreaking.” 

Il Cenacolo will also announce the conferral of its “Leonardo da Vinci Award” upon its past President, Marcello Mellino, M.D., for his service and commitment to Il Cenacolo. A native of Italy, Dr. Mellino is well known in the Cleveland area as a physician, photographer and owner of Images Gallery in Lakewood. Also being recognized for her commitment to Il Cenacolo programs and initiatives is Pamela Dorazio Dean, well known in the region as the Western Reserve Historical Society Curator of Italian American History and Director of the Italian American Museum of Cleveland. 

Originally referred to as “Il Circolo”, the organization was founded in 1928, by leaders in the Italian community to maintain Italian language and culture in Cleveland. A name change in 1932 to Il Cenacolo Italiano di Cleveland attracted new members including Dr. Orfea Barricelli and Mrs. Henry Hunt Clark and other Clevelanders distinguished in their fields. While the title Il Cenacolo is another name for Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, in the context of this cultural organization, Il Cenacolo simply means an intimate group of friends who, in the noble Renaissance tradition, are interested in the arts in general and in the Italian culture in particular. 

“Il Cenacolo is a cultural program unlike others in Cleveland,” said Ms. Gasbarre Black. We focus our programming efforts on the connection of Italian art and language to the human condition. We invite artists, scholars and professionals to share their knowledge, insight and skills to further our understanding of the breadth and richness of the Italian culture in all its artistic forms and its positive impact on society.” 

In addition, Il Cenacolo fulfills its mission by sponsoring an annual Italian language scholarship for college students. It also supports cultural institutions, such as the Italian American Collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Italian Cultural Garden of Cleveland. 

Members of the 95th Anniversary Celebration Committee include Program Committee Co-Chairs and Past Presidents Beatrice Colage` Zukowski, Elda Borroni, and Carmela Mitra, President-Elect Marco Nivellini, Treasurer John Mitra, Secretary Connie Sancetta, Directors Joanne D’Emilia and Janet Corbo, and Members Philip Micali and Anna Bianco. Information regarding reservations for the June 4th event may be directed to Treasurer John Mitra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..