By Kevin Coughlin
Some 160 artists are coming from 25 states to this month’s Morristown CraftMarket, a juried event that has benefited charities for 39 years.
But a first-time participant from our own backyard may best epitomize the spirit of this venerable fundraiser, which runs from Oct. 16-18, 2015, at the Morristown Armory.
“My main reason to go is to share my work and my cause,” said Morristown photographer Sergio Burani.
His cause is Africa Surgery, a Morristown-based nonprofit that helps provide medical care for desperately poor people in the West African country of Sierra Leone.
‘IT FEEDS MY SOUL’
Burani, 69, has a stunning portfolio of nature photos shot in Africa, India, South America, Europe, Alaska and Colorado. All proceeds from sales of these images, priced from $10 to $300, will go directly to Africa Surgery, he said.
“I don’t need the money,” said Burani, who retired as a global marketing executive from Warner Lambert in 2002.
“I have my pension. That’s good enough for me. I get a lot of satisfaction spending my time with photography. It feeds my soul.”
The CraftMarket supports an assortment of charities endorsed by the Randolph Kiwanis, organizers of the all-volunteer show.
A 50-50 raffle will benefit the Jersey Battered Women’s Service, and Big Brothers Big Sisters will collect gently used clothing throughout the show.
ONE-OF-A-KIND
CraftMarket visitors will find many one-of-a-kind, limited edition, made-in-America fine arts and crafts, including jewelry, leather, ceramics, metal, glass, wood, furniture, mixed media, wearable fiber, and photography, according to show Director Geoffrey Price.
“Burani’s work always provokes a reaction from the viewer — a memory, an emotion or a spiritual connection. It just has a dynamic energy that animates the viewer,” said Price, noting that a panel of artists chose the photographer from hundreds of applicants.
When he is not capturing images or doing administrative chores for Africa Surgery, Burani teaches photography fpr continuing education programs in Morristown and Madison. He can relate to late-blooming shutterbugs.
On business trips, he always took photos.
“I wasn’t very good at it,” Burani conceded. “I was self-taught. When I retired, I realized the dream of my life: To be a photographer.”
After he earned a degree in photo technology at the County College of Morris, a chance meeting with Tom Johnson —a fiddle-playing handyman from Morristown’s Assumption Church — gave purpose to Burani’s passion.
Burani talked Johnson into letting him photograph his charitable work in Sierra Leone in 2012.
Video: Sergio Burani shot this documentary
Photos by Sergio, Burani’s philanthropic venture, now is a pillar of Africa Surgery. Burani plans to return to Assumption on Oct. 23 for a benefit concert by the Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen.
Burani and his wife Johanna have two sons and four grandchildren, and one of the toddlers has become enamored of grandpa’s wildlife pictures.
So don’t be too surprised if you see Buranis represented at the CraftMarket for decades to come.
In the meantime, Sergio Burani is creating another charity to support missionary work in Africa.
He refuses to get discouraged by the enormity of the challenge.
“The reality is, a little money can make a big difference there,” said Burani, a native of the Friuli region of Italy. “It’s a drop in the bucket. But not for those people we touch.”
He has documented post-Katrina relief efforts in New Orleans, dentists helping people in the Peruvian Amazon, and Johnson working small miracles in Sierra Leone.
“These pictures, when I look at them, they keep me going,” Burani said.
The 39th Annual Morristown CraftMarket
Morristown Armory, 430 Western Ave., Morris Township
Friday, Oct. 16, reception, 5 pm to 9 pm, age 21 and over
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 am to 5 pm
Daily Admission: $10; weekend pass, $12.
See show website for $2 discount coupon.
Free parking.
It’s so encouraging hearing about the wonderful work Tom Johnson and Sergio Burani are doing. Thanks and God bless you both!