The Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan hosted an intimate aperitif evening with Detroit-based photographer Christie Lynn Caputo. In a warm, relaxed atmosphere, guests were invited to explore Christie’s stunning photographic prints and hear the captivating stories behind her Italian journey.
Christie, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and and member of the Society, shared insights from her ten-week immersion in Soveria Simeri, the Calabrian town her grandparents left in the 1930s. Through meetings with relatives, artisans, and residents, she reconnected with her family heritage and documented the town’s authentic Calabrian spirit, its hospitality, resilience, and deep cultural roots.
Throughout the evening, guests actively participated by sharing their own family stories, memories, and connections to Italy. The exchange of personal experiences created a heartfelt atmosphere where many felt a deep emotional resonance with Christie’s work and the themes of heritage, identity, and belonging.
Her project, while grounded in her personal story, celebrates the broader culture and identity of Calabria. The photographs were displayed in a charming and symbolic way, hung on lines just like Italians hang their laundry to dry, creating an evocative, familiar, and deeply Italian visual experience. Guests viewed these prints, which reflect both her family history and the region’s enduring beauty, while Christie shared her intention to return to southern Italy to continue documenting its people, traditions, and evolving cultural landscape.
The event became more than an exhibition, it was a shared moment of storytelling, reflection, and community, offering everyone present a chance to experience la dolce vita through Christie’s lens.
