The Institute for Policy Studies, Busboys and Poets’ Bread and Roses series, and the Washington Metro Council of the AFL-CIO will host the book launch with Marc Fasanella, co-author and son of renowed labor artist Ralph Fasanella, who fought in Spain, worked for the UE and painted the lives and struggles of the working class. Marc is author of Ralph Fasanella: Images of Optimism, the first book in sixteen years about his father, the artist and his work.

Speaking along with Marc Fasanella will be IPS Associate Fellow and veteran social justice and labor organizer, Ron Carver.

Ralph Fasanella: Images of Optimism showcases nearly seventy of Fasanella’s vibrant images of social conscience. An essay by Leslie Umberger articulates Fasanella’s life of action and the deep-seated drive behind his work, and Marc Fasanella offers personal perspectives on this artist of the people.

Marc Fasanella has been a professor of art, architecture, and design for thirty years. He has curated exhibitions featuring notable artists George Rickey, Moses Soyer, Robert Gwathmey, David Burliuk, James McMullan, Richard Mayhew, and Milton Glaser, as well as his father, about whom he has written and lectured extensively.

“In brash, brightly colored paintings informed by van Gogh and Diego Rivera, Fasanella lifted his voice against McCarthyism, wage slavery, and racism.” —Publishers Weekly

In addition to a book signing with Marc, free posters of Ralph Fasanella paintings will be given away to all those who attend.