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 Buckminster Fuller 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. 
CURRICULUM VITAE 
Professional experience:
2022 Rosario Merola Jewelry Art Studio” moved in Rome, Italy
2013-2022 Rosario Merola Jewelry Art Studio” opening in San Francisco  
2007-2012 Rosario Merola Jewelry Art Studio” opening in New York 
2005-2007 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:
STYLE 2014 - Camino Division of PAMF, Mountain View
VELVET DA VINCI GALLERY - San Francisco
LOOT 2013: MAD About Jewelry
Museum of Art and Design New York
2008-2009
Italian Contemporary Jewelry: "Traditions and materials between art and design" organized by Alba Cappellieri           
Museo di Arti Decorative Pietro Accorsi Turin Italy 10.29.2008 - 1.11.2009
KunstgewerbeMuseum - Berlin
Castello Sforzesco Sala del Tesoro, Milano Italy 
Palazzo Valmarana, Vicenza Italy
Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery "Arte Fresca: a Jewelry Art Show" Seattle, WA
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.

My Work

Is contemporary, geometric and simple in style and feeling. I use high carat gold, wood, aluminum, plexiglass and stainless steel with gemstone beads, because I love their various colors in my design. After spending more than 20 years between Northern Europe and the United States, I now live in Rome where I have my own studio. All of my pieces are made by hand.