Valerie Adinolfi
June - July 2008

I have the good fortune of exhibiting my collages in one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco. I think the name of the district “Excelsior” which means “ever higher” is appropriate for my goal as a collage artist. As customer service representative for Uncommon Grounds Speciality coffee, I have had the pleasure of working with Paulo, his mother and their lovely staff for four years now, providing them with great coffee, chai and syrups. It was this connection that opened the door for me to exhibit my work at the cafe. The Nichos and all the pieces on the right hand wall as you enter the cafe were made especially for the cafe exhibit. They represent a cohesive, tight, mysterious and, what I consider, creative part of what the Excelsior is about therefore what the cafe represents as well. It was a pleasure for me to try and convey that in my work. While visiting the the cafe before the exhibit I was amazed at the community connection. All walks of life meeting, sharing & laughing together. In this day and age of fast pace and gotta go attitude it was magical to see time stop and be enjoyed and done so in a warm & welcoming environment. I can only hope that upon viewing my collages each person gets to peel away and reveal for them what is a deep seeded need for a connection, at all levels.

Valerie Adinolfi, June 2008

2a of Pentacles, 2008