ARTIST AND INVENTOR, PAUL PUCCIO OPENS GALLERY IN MANHATTANS UPPER EAST SIDE

NEW YORK -- After 48 years of working in the marble and onyx interior business, Italian sculptor Paul Puccio opens his first art gallery to the trade and public, Thursday, September 25. Puccio Gallery, located at 1202 Second Avenue, in Manhattans Upper East Side, is the only one of its kind, showcasing the artists sketches, marble, onyx and bronze sculptures as well as an array of his functional furniture creations.

Every object, every form, every sculpture born from his skill and imagination has a distinct mark and style that is his alone, recognizable and inimitable

The opening of Puccio Gallery does not, however, mark the beginning of his career. His work has been recognized by many over the years. One-of-a-kind Puccio pieces have recently been created for Oprah Winfrey and Governor George Pataki.    We first started out with this wild idea, who knew that it would turn out to be such a magnificent creation," said Winfrey of her Puccio creation. It is simply one of the finest pieces of craftsmanship Ive ever seen."

     Also an inventor, Puccio patented a system in the United States to structurally fortify stone so he would be able to create designs and forms never before possible in marble and onyx. A nine-foot, scratch resistant onyx extension table on display at the gallery is an example of the type of work Puccios patented system makes possible.

After a lifetime of work, creativity and imagination his dream of owning his own gallery has become a reality. When my niece told me about this location, an old Chinese restaurant, I immediately had a vision of what we could transform the space into." Following eight months of renovation we can now enjoy the neighbors amazement as they peek in the windows," says Ms. Lucia Giudice, Mr. Puccios niece as well as the Gallery Director.    To see my uncles work brings a look of wonderment and amazement to peoples faces. I am thrilled to be a part of his project."