Page 20 Thursday, February 7, 2002 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Chains, Nails, Iron, Metal, Tin: The Ingredients For Tomasulo’s Tribal Exhibit

By MARYLOU MORANO ance Company in Atlanta, Ga. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times The Tomasulo Gallery is located on Out of Scotch Plains Is Born a Humble CRANFORD — A mixed media the first floor of the MacKay Library on exhibit by Morristown artist Bina Wash- the campus of Union County College, ington, which explores contemporary 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, Gal- spirituality, mythology and magic, is lery hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. on Mon- King of the Entertainment Industry currently on display at Union County days through Thursdays and on Satur- Dr. Joseph P. DeAlessandro,left, re- College’s Tomasulo Gallery in Cranford ceives his Honorary Doctorate Degree until Thursday, February 21. By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT Entitled “Down to the Bone,” the ex- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times from then-President of the CIA, Ferdinand E. Metz. hibit features sculpture, prints and col- SCOTCH PLAINS — In the spring lages constructed of canvas, leather, bones of 1990, when lifelong Scotch Plains and found objects. resident Dan Catullo graduated from Mourning My The sculptures and collages project a Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School heavy African aura that is almost tribal in (SPFHS), he had hopes and dreams Mentor, Friend nature. Most are dark pieces that reflect like everyone else. With plans to attend the objects of which they are constructed college at West Virginia University, — among which are chains, nails, iron, the future looked exciting and promis- Joe DeAlessandro metal and tin. ing. Contrasting with the heavy metallic By MICHELLE H. Le POIDEVIN feel of the works are beads, shells, wood, Little did Catullo know that had he Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times been able to view a slice of his upcom- bones and assorted found objects, such ing life through the lens of a futuristic WESTFIELD – Extraordinarily as a set of keys or a gourd, for example. time machine, in 10 years he would accomplished in the business world, Some of the collages project a feeling Dr. Joseph P. DeAlessandro of of being artistic works within artistic find himself on a first name basis with works. In “Mojo No. 1,” which is con- such tremendous celebrities as Willie Westfield excelled equally as a com- passionate and deeply altruistic hu- structed of canvas, wool, leather, bone, Nelson, Etta James, B.B. King, tin and found items, one sees objects Marilyn Manson, The Go-Go’s, man being. His death last Saturday, at the age of 71, leaves a massive within objects. Godsmack, and drummer Tommy Lee, Washington uses this technique to im- to name a few. void in the hearts of those who called him their employer, colleague, rela- bue the pieces with real force. Weaving is A love of music inspired Catullo to interspersed throughout to create a con- leave college after two years to pursue tive and friend. temporary three dimensional relief form Marylou Morano for The Westfield Leader and The Times When I met him, nearly four years “Mojo Quilt,” canvas, wool, leather, a career in entertainment. He worked within the artwork itself. bone, wood, raffia and found objects. as a stagehand at The Meadowlands ago at the office of The Westfield The inspiration for much of the “Down for several years, learning first-hand Leader, our conversation was “all to the Bone” collection comes from the tools of his trade. business.” Writing a restaurant re- masks, decorative embellishments and Presently, Catullo is President and view for the newspaper was his pro- ritual objects. The pieces on exhibit are CEO of Coming Home Entertainment posal and I was delighted to embrace very reflective of their origin and leave Group, LLC, a television production his expertise. The first few outings the viewer no doubt as to what inspired company with many subdivisions in involved dining together at Ferraro’s them. California. This incredibly successful Restaurant and the Stage House Inn, “‘Down to the Bone’ expresses my conversing about Italian food, my desire to always get to the heart of things. company has produced countless tele- The nitty gritty, the raw exposed areas, the vision specials and DVD projects, and fear of New York City, his love of the metropolis and his gracious com- skeletal support that holds it all together,” expects this coming year’s revenue to Washington said in a prepared statement. be in the $25 million dollar range. panion, Jeanette, who simply lit up Courtesy of Daniel E. Catullo like an angel when she was near him. “The scraps thrown away that I gather With 13 fulltime employees and HE KNOWS THE WINNERS...Daniel E. Catullo, a former Westfield resident together and reconstruct. The bone licked hundreds more contracted for a live On May 28, 1999, despite an ardu- and President/CEO of Coming Home Entertainment Group in Sherman Oaks, ous trek on the Metro-North Rail- clean, the truth exposed right down to the show, Coming Home Productions is so Calif., poses after presenting Carlos Santana the “Artist of the Year” award at bone, the total ecstasy, down to the bone.” heavily in demand that Catullo has to road to The Culinary Institute (CIA) the 1999 Latin Style Music Awards show. Mr. Catullo was the Executive of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., I While somewhat overshadowed in turn work down on a daily basis. Producer of the show. both form and statement by the collages The company has a full in-house joined Joe and a number of his friends and sculpture, Washington’s prints give post facility where Catullo works side quite amazing, but he is grateful and Catullo told The Westfield Leader and family in celebrating his Honor- strong voice to social views and relation- by side with his clients. He is currently humble. He recognizes that the enter- and The Times of Scotch Plains- Continued on Page 19 ships in a more subtle manner. at work with Marilyn Manson, editing tainment industry is a tenuous one at Fanwood that he feels that anyone can “I believe in the ability of art to trans- the upcoming broadcast version of best, but so far, it appears that the gods make it in the entertainment industry if form. Art has the power to make things “Guns, Gods and Government, Live.” are smiling on him. they truly want to. He said that just happen! I am compelled to make these Not bad for a boy from Scotch Plains. Not one to let it all go to his head, he because someone lives in Union THE MUSIC ideas visible in my work,” she continued. Marylou Morano for The Westfield Leader and The Times So how did this young man achieve his is still best friends with James Mulligan, Washington’s exhibit, “Facing Each “She Didn’t Know I Had Other Se- dream in such a mind-boggling way? his pal from SPFHS. Mulligan is also Other,” has appeared in Philadelphia and crets to Tell,” blue monoprint of Chile Persistence. Faith. Sixteen-hour doing quite well for himself and cur- ORNER her “Impressions and Perception” at the calle, transfer and woven paper. days. A passion for your work. And a rently acts as the Director of Security C Noyes Museum in Oceanville. Her work is also on exhibit at the Newark Museum days. Evening hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. little luck, but not much. for Coming Home Productions, work- WITH DAVID ing side by side with his buddy. in Newark and The Atlantic Life Insur- on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Catullo admitted that his success is PALLADINO For more information, please call the WSO Presents Tomasulo Gallery at (908) 709-7155. Beethoven Pieces Pen & Ink By Michelle H. Le Poidevin At Their Best

By DAVID PALLADINO U2 Quakes Big EasyWith Patriotic Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times WESTFIELD — Maestro David Flair In Best Halftime Performance Wroe and the Westfield Symphony Or- By MICHELLE H. Le POIDEVIN chestra (WSO) have once again man- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times aged to offer a most extraordinary con- cert experience. “Who had the ball?” my father asks from the kitchen during one of the Courtesy of Daniel E. Catullo The virtuosi of the orchestra as well as playoff games. Sully Erna, the lead singer of some fantastic soloists were on hand this On the brink of falling off the edge of the sofa, I return a well-intentioned Godsmack, left, and Dan Catullo. Com- past Saturday evening at the Union ing Home Entertainment produced the answer, “The team that just scored.” group’s DVD, which has placed No. 3 County Arts Center (UCAC) in down- “Michelle, what color was the uniform?” Poor dad. Every Le Poidevin on the Billboard Music Chart. town Rahway to perform Tangents for in the tri-state area has made him or Chamber Orchestra by George Walker; the Concerto for Violin and Piano in G herself famous because of their over- minor by Mendelssohn; and the Sym- the-top athletic genetics. Though he phony no. 3 in E flat Major “Eroica” by tossed a ball around the yard with me Beethoven. from time to time, I was clearly on the The orchestra opened with a work by wrong line when they were giving a Walker, a pianist, teacher and later out those sporty genes. Just ask my composer, who was also present at the old gym teachers at Roselle Catholic. performance to give a personal introduc- tion to his piece. Tangents, which he They’ll deny ever knowing me. wrote in 1999, is a short “fanfare for the I like to think my God-given tal- new millennium” commissioned by the ents are a bit different – an eye for art, Pro Music Chamber Orchestra of Co- an ear for music, a palate for most lumbus, Ohio. The work contains jazz kinds of food, and a nose for news. and pop influence. And, while this past Sunday’s half- Walker explained that toward the con- clusion of the work, a famous Cole Por- time Super Bowl XXXVI show would SUNDAY, PATRIOTIC normally be inconsequential to me, I ter tune might be heard, although the SUNDAY...U2’s Bono, pictured above, Courtesy of Daniel E. Catullo audience probably wouldn’t recognize it joined band members in one of the was bewitched, bedazzled and bowled Dan Catullo and Willie Nelson as such. most patriotic performance ever of- over by E*Trade’s Financial-spon- Violinist Dmitri Berlinski and pianist fered at a Super Bowl game. sored U2 concert. Elena Baksht offered a beautifully pol- When the Dublin, Ireland natives County, it doesn’t mean that it is im- ished rendition of the rarely heard possible to achieve such a dream. Noth- Mendelssohn Concerto for Violin and came to the U.S. with a lyrical style that might have become lost in the ing is free, but with hard work and Piano in G minor. The capable Russsian saccharine-infused era of Madonna, Wham! and Whitney Houston. They determination, it can happen. duo lit the stage on fire with their passion were singing about a homeland overrun by war and terrorism. We were too He also wanted to mention that he and mastery of the work. self-absorbed to hear or appreciate the lyrics, but we dug the music well will never forget his Business Teacher For example, after a brief exciting enough to buy the records. The 80s and, even the 90s, showed no true from SPFHS, Fran DeSalvo. He ad- opening by the orchestra, Berlinski im- imminent threats of terrorism such as what we witnessed on 9-11. mitted that it was DeSalvo who lit a fire Continued on Page 19 Therefore, it seemed only fitting that Sunday’s performance, which was under him and taught him to work truly held amid the highest security co- hard to achieve his dreams. He wanted to thank her for inspiring him to be his coon of any sports-related event in best. history, involved the Dubliners who Catullo and his wife, Madelyn, were know how to overcome fear and married in Napa, Calif. in 2000, and he terrorism better than most. is happy to say that he is glad that his Choking back tears and spine- wife also works with him at Coming tingling emotion were not rare reac- Home, otherwise they would hardly tions to the performance, as the four ever see one another. The demands of men were engulfed by a giant red the business are too great and Catullo heart, hand-held red lights, and finds himself traveling constantly, but screaming fans – all while the names it is much less stressful with Madelyn by his side, he related. of those lost in the 9-11 terrorist Coming Home currently has an attacks were scrolling down behind enormous contract with Image Enter- them. “Where the Streets Have No tainment, (the largest DVD distribu- Name” was the band’s anthem, tor in the United States,) and the which drew the crowd and view- company is considering opening an- ers at home closer in a renewed other office in Manhattan at some sense of patriotism. point. While most of us have dis- The future indeed looks bright mantled our American flags from for Catullo and his company. The the antennae of our cars, the pins Leader/Times is looking forward to hearing of their continued suc- from our lapels and the blasé sense cess. of “business as usual,” U2’s per- For more information on Catullo formance reminded us of the hor- or Coming Home Entertainment ror we faced as a nation and the Group, please visit courage we collectively possess to www.cominghomeproductions.com. Continued on Page 19 CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK