Italo Botti (1923-2003) 

    The late Italo (George) Botti was born in Greenwich Village, New York in 1923. At the age of nine he was awarded a scholarship to the Leonardo da Vinci School of Art. Later, he furthered his studies at the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts and the Art Student's League, where he was also an instructor. He worked as a painter, muralist, sculptor, and stained glass artist. Botti served in the Army in World War II, participating in the Normandy Invasion and winning five Bronze Stars. Botti and his wife Ethlyn Panzironi Botti divided their time between Sarasota, Florida, and Evanston, Illinois. Botti Studio’s history in the design and execution of ecclesiastical and lay stained glass windows traces back four generations in the Panzironi family. Italo Botti likened his abstract expressionist style to jazz music.