In the summer of 2023 I accepted a commission for what would be my largest and most complicated build to date.

The client’s parents both originated from Italy — one of them, from the island of Sicily. Her hope was that I could create a diorama which showcased the small village of Cefalù, not far from her parent’s birthplace.

After consulting with the client, we determined that the three “must have” components of the model included the beach and Mediteranean sea in the foreground; the village buildings making up the middle; and Rocca di Cefalù, the area’s mountain, creating the backdrop.

After considerable research and development, a size and scale was determined. An 18' x 18' gallery-style cradle board was used for the base. By inverting the panel, the recessed area creates the boundaries for the model and would be essential to pouring the resin for the water feature.

In the end, the client was thrilled with the result. The model now sits in a pride of place within their home and serves as an homage to the family’s cultural heritage.