Second Friday: Abstract paintings and Americana music

Born and raised in Helena, Montana, Marlo Crocifisso received her B.A. in Fine Art from the University of Montana in 2006, with a main focus on studio art, photography, and ceramics. During her time at the university she participated in a one-year study abroad in Malta at the University of Malta, where she studied Art History and various studio arts like printmaking and etching.  More importantly, however, while abroad she was exposed to the vibrant European street art and graffiti scene on many weekend trips to the continent’s major cities.  Opened to an entirely new world of art and expression, she began cutting stencils and spraying them on the streets of Malta and eventually in Missoula upon her return. Three years later, after a quick residency in Friday Harbor, Washington, Crocifisso returned to Europe to work as a language assistant teaching English in a French high school. Again able to travel, she visited many of the museums and art collections around Western Europe that she had previously skipped over on her way to, who knows, perhaps graffiti them. This time viewing the works of such masters as Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Van Gogh, Schiele, Picasso, Rothko, and Leon Golub, Marlo was shook on a previously unknown formal level and inspired to pick up painting as her main form of expression. Upon arrival back in the states and Missoula in 2009, she immediately started painting on large scale canvas, beginning experiments with stencil-integrated, street-informed paintings. At this same time, Crocifisso started working for local and internationally know artist Monte Dolack as his personal picture framer, and designing with customers. Carrying her skills obtained after six years framing for The Dolack Gallery, Crocifisso embarked on her own adventure by opening a custom frame shop in 2016. Located above the Von Common Studios, is Art Haus Fine Art Framing. Crocifisso has shown in many locations around Missoula and throughout the state. Marlo is also a founding member and current resident of the Missoula based art collective Von Common.