Carlo Nisita

Carlo Nisita was a noted Italian American painter, printmaker, muralist, and educator. His career spanned several years, and he utilized a wide range of mediums. His work primarily consists of landscapes and harbor and marina scenes, though his later and best work began to explore more modern themes and images. Born October 26, 1895 in Naples Italy, Nisita and his family immigrated to the United States in 1903, where they settled in Buffalo. From 1917-1919, Nisita served in World War I and compiled sketches from his observations while stationed in France. Upon his return to the States, he studied at the Albright Art School and received his teacher’s certification. He studied at the Buffalo School of Fine Arts, the Art Students League, and Cooper Union before receiving his bachelor of fine arts degree from the Yale School of Fine Arts in 1925. While in Buffalo, Nisita studied under several notable artists, including George B. Bridgman, Florence Julia Bach, and Urquhart Wilcox.

In 1934, Nisita began his longstanding career as an educator, working as an art instructor at East Aurora High School and serving as the department’s chairman. He retired from the school in 1964, but did not stay idle for long. Two months later he took a job at Villa Maria College, where he founded the art department, served as its chairman, and was appointed as professor emeritus before retiring again in 1975.

In addition to his work as an educator, Nisita completed numerous murals, exhibited extensively,  and was featured in several group and solo shows in Western New York throughout his career. He was a member of the Buffalo Society of Artists, serving as its president in 1960 and 1970, the Buffalo Print Club, and the Patteran Society. Nisita also founded the East Aurora Art Society and the Associated Art Organizations of Western New York, serving as president for both organizations. He was awarded the Grumbacher Gold Medallion at the 95^th Annual Buffalo Society of Artists Exhibition in 1990, shortly before his death at the age of 95.