The official commemorative artist of the MLB All-Star Game is a big fan of Philly food and culture
In his signature 3D pop-out style, Charles Fazzino creates dazzling pieces that often nod to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the 'Rocky' steps, and the Mummers Parade.
Artist Charles Fazzino’s work jumps out at you. And it sparkles.
Renowned for capturing colorful cityscapes and big sporting events, Fazzino has for decades crafted three-dimensional pop-out artworks by hand to mark major occasions from the Grammys to the Olympics — and, in recent years, the annual MLB All-Star Game.
With the game in Philadelphia this year, Fazzino is in town as the official commemorative artist and he is bringing along the MLB All-Star Game portrait and some of his bedazzled baseballs, bats, and helmets to the MLB All-Star Village in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The MLB All-Star Game portrait spotlights the city of Philadelphia, featuring the skyline, Benjamin Franklin Bridge, SEPTA buses, and, of course, Citizens Bank Park.
The portrait is one of his signature 3D pop-out pieces. Fazzino started making these pieces in the 1990s inspired by pop-up books. First, he prints drawings on a special cardboard-like material called museum board, made of cotton rags, and proceeds to cut out each person, landmark, and building with an X-Acto knife. Then he meticulously arranges the figures using gobs of glue to create the three-dimensional artwork; the glue is not just an adhesive but a layering tool as well.
Finally, he applies Swarovski crystals and acrylic paint to make the canvas glitter.
His work has been collected by a wide range of fans from Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, to celebrities including Julia Roberts, Michael Jordan, and Reggie Jackson. To keep up with high demand, Fazzino runs a studio in New Rochelle, NY with a staff of 60 who help with the painstaking process of cutting and gluing.
“The artwork is different because everything still is printed by hand, made by hand, cut out by hand, glued, assembled, and constructed all by hand,” said Fazzino, who found a passion for art thanks to his artist parents. “That’s what I think differentiates me from other artists, and why the pieces are so unique.”
Fazzino has been making artwork depicting Philadelphia for years, earning a substantial following in the region as local galleries have sold his works over the past 30 years. In addition to the All-Star art, he also made a piece commemorating the Semiquincentennial featuring major landmarks from all 50 states.
“I’ve been going [to Philly] so many years, so I include the Mummers Parade or the art museum, Rocky sculpture, all the cool hotels and the food culture,” he said.
Fazzino’s original 3D artworks cost between $3,000-$7,000 with framing, depending on the size, but he also sells posters at lower price points, in addition to a variety of baseball-related art. At his booth in the Convention Center, visitors can see his Phillies-themed decorative baseballs as well as the ceremonial home plate that will be used in the first pitch at the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
