Roberta Poggi: Italy.

Roberta Poggi: Italy. When you think of Italy Italy(ĭt`əlē), Ital. Italia, officially Italian Republic, republic (2005 est. pop. 58,103,000), 116,303 sq mi (301,225 sq km), S Europe. , what comes to mind--the Coliseum Coliseum:see Colosseum. in Rome,the Leaning Tower of Pisa Leaning Tower of PisaWhite marble campanile in Pisa, Italy, famous for the uneven settling of its foundation, which caused it to lean 5.5 degrees (about 15 ft [4.5 m]) from the perpendicular. , gelatto, pizza and other yummy treats? Thoseare all very well and good, but what about art? As you probably know, Italy has a reputation for priceless price��less?adj.1. Of inestimable worth; invaluable.2. Highly amusing, absurd, or odd: a priceless remark. works ofart. Such famous artists as Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci(də vĭn`chē, Ital. lāōnär`dō dä vēn`chē), 1452–1519, Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, and scientist, b. near Vinci, a hill village in Tuscany. , Michelangelo andBotticelli, to name a few, were born in Italy a long time ago. Theirartwork remains so incredibly famous that each year millions of peopleflock flock1. a group of one species of animal or bird which eats or travels or is kept together, e.g. flock of sheep, of wild geese.2. wool or cotton particles or debris used as stuffing or packing. to Venice, Florence and Rome, some of Italy's most famouscities, to see their paintings and sculptures. Even today, Italy is well known and is highly respected as a placefor students to study and practice art. Some of the finest universitiesare located there, and many up and coming artists, young and old, liveand work in Italy. One young artist is 10-year-old Roberta Poggi. Roberta only startedpainting two years ago, but she is already being recognized for hertalent and passion. She is the only member of her family who's an artist, and shehas never had any lessons. She is still exploring and discovering theendless array of methods, techniques and tools that can be used tocreate art, but oil paints are her favorite. Roberta has never exhibitedher work before and enjoys giving her drawings and paintings to herparents and family as gifts. Think about what tool you like to use most to express yourcreativity. Is it paint? Clay? Wood? Art can be expressed in so manydifferent ways, and all are unique. If you haven't done so already,next time one of your friends or parents has a birthday, createsomething special for them using your imagination and favorite art tool.It will mean more to them than anything bought in a store. Just like you, Roberta goes to school, plays sports and hashobbies It may never be fully completed or, depending on its its nature, it may be that it can never be completed. However, new and revised entries in the list are always welcome. This is a list of hobbies. . Her favorite subjects are science, literature, gym class and,of course, art class! She loves all different kinds of sports, but herfavorite is rugby. And she sometimes gets hurt and has to spend time in bed. In fact,Roberta created the beautiful painting you see here while in bed for twomonths recovering from a broken leg. She originally got the idea for thepainting from an art contest she had won at her school. Roberta was actually chosen to be one of the 100 Italian finalistsin the Third Arts Olympiad, and she hopes to be one of the two winnersselected to travel to Washington, D.C. for ICAF's Festival. GoRoberta! In the future when she's old enough, Roberta would like towork in the art world and go to art schools in different parts of theworld. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified"meantime, meanwhile , she's going to keep painting and drawing,going to school, playing rugby and just being a kid, like you!