Growing up in Sicily, I was constantly struck by the rich colors and forms surrounding me. The triangular shape of the island for example, and many bright colors of the land and sea inspired my integration of these characteristic into many of my jewelry pieces.

After high school, I enrolled in a goldsmith course in Naples at the Scuola d’Arte Orafa Meridionale, where I met maestro Teresi, a professor of the art of jewelry. His work and techniques strongly influenced me, and after only eight months of school, I transferred to his private workshop, where I continued my studies as his apprentice for four extremely intense years. Since completing my studies, I have worked in Montoro, Caserta (Tari’), and Arezzo in Italy, Antwerp in Belgium and Philadelphia in USA.

In 2005, I became a member of the Associazione Gioiello Contemporaneo (AGC). AGC is an organization active in Italy with the aim of promoting and giving value to jewelry as a form of art.

The artists Cepka and Persoon have influenced my sense of design, as well as Dau, Pinton and Giampaolo Babetto, in their ability to integrate classical ideas into modern styles. I like to create jewelry from unexpected combinations of precious and non-precious material in forms well beyond traditional jewelry concepts. My work is contemporary, geometric and simple in style and feeling. I use high carat gold, silver, wood, aluminum and plexiglass. Recently, I have begun to integrate stainless steel, because of its strength and resemblance to white gold or platinum, with gemstone beads, because I love their various colors in my design. Now I live in New York where I have my own studio. All of my pieces are made by hand.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Professional experience:

2007 Rosario Merola Jewelry Art Studio” opening in New York

2005 Studio opening in Ann Arbor MI, USA

2004 Merola Studio opening in Philadelphia, PA.

2003 Atelier of Roberto Pupo in Philadelphia.

2000 – 2002 Artist at FAR.IN.EX di Arezzo, working in precious metals.

1998 – 2000 Atelier Debucquoy in Antwerpen, Belgium. Artigianal Production of original pieces working in precious metals.

1997 Gioielleria “Le Gioie” at Montoro (AV), jewelry repairs.

Education:

1995 – 1998 Apprenticeship in the workshop of Maestro Teresi, professor at the Scuola della Fondazione "Il Tari".

1994 Pursuit of coursework at the "Scuola d’Arte Orafa Meridionale" in Naples.

1985 – 1990 Diploma, V Istituto Tecnico per Geometri “Leonardo Da Vinci” S.M.C.Vetere (CE), Italy.

Shows and Galleries:

2008

Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery "Arte Fresca: a Jewelry Art Show" July 30 - August 16 Seattle, WA

Italian Contemporary Jewelry - Traditions and materials between art and design" KunstgewerbeMuseum - Berlin July 10 - October 5

Castello Sforzesco Sala del Tesoro, Milano Italy

Palazzo Valmarana, Vicenza Italy

2007

The Artful Home Show SoHo - New York City

Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery "The heart of the matter: Materials explored" Seattle WA

2005

M.I.M. Gallery “Secret Identities, Intriguing Wearable Art" Baltimore MD

Spring to Life - Ann Arbor, MI

Pieces displayed at Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham MI, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor MI.

1995

Competition “Omaggio a Federico Fellini” at the show of Roman Jewels “Desideri Preziosi” displayed at the Residenza di Ripetta in Rome, organized by the C.C.I.A.A. of Rome.