Spezzano Returns to First Bank of Greenwich Sept. 28

Greenwich resident and local artist Michael Spezzano stands in front of his artwork displayed at the First Bank of Greenwich during his first art show there.

The walls of Frank Gaudio’s office at the First Bank of Greenwich are covered with paintings and photographs from past events held at the bank showcasing local artists and their work.

On Wednesday, September 28 at 5:30pm, the bank will welcome back artist Greenwich native, artist Michael Spezzano, Jr. Greenwich native Michael Spezzano featuring his work accompanied by music, food and drinks.

“It makes for an interesting day for us, because we bank all day,” Gaudio, the CEO and the president of the bank, said at one such show. “I like to buy one painting from each artist for the bank. It’s a memory for us at the bank and it memorializes them being with us.”

Included in his personal office gallery is a piece from Spezzano, a self-taught artist from Greenwich who doesn’t limit himself to a single subject or style.

“I do a lot of landscapes, but it’s really whatever is my whim that day,” Spezzano has said. “I learn so much more just by being with the other artists and watching their techniques. I don’t necessarily want to copy what they do, but they inspire me to do something. I’m often asking, ‘How did you get that?’ and I’ve never met one artist who didn’t help me.”

Artists of past events typically flock to the reception to show support and to see the decorated walls of the bank where they were once featured.

“This is really alumni night,” Gaudio said. “Usually at every one of these events, all the other ones come back to support the other artists. There are nights where we’ve had five or more of the past artists show up just to support the other artists.

“It’s been a blast,” he said, “and it’s something I really love to do.