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From Maranello to Motor City: The Italian American Automotive Connection with Maria Romano de León

May 17 | 2:00 pm 4:00 pm PDT

Automotive curator Maria Romano de Leon will share the deep connections between the Italian and the American automotive industry

This presentation by Maria Romano de Leon, automotive curator, will examine the reciprocal influence and inspiration between the Italian and American automotive industries. We will explore iconic models like Ferrari’s 250 GT California, the Ford-powered De Tomaso Pantera, and Lamborghini’s Countach and address the exchange of engineering and design philosophies. We will discover how American production techniques revolutionized Italian manufacturing approaches while Italian design aesthetics transformed American automotive styling and inspired memorable collaborations.

The presentation will be followed by a reception of “Caponata and toast” hosted by Romano’s Restaurant.

PARKING is abundant and free of charge on weekends at the ACE Parking Lot next to the Cathedral on Beech.

Free – $21

Italian Cultural Center

St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Auditorium)

1535 Third Ave
San Diego, California 92101 United States
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Maria Romano de León is a curator and arts educator with over a decade of experience in museum and nonprofit management, curatorial work, and academic instruction. Currently working as an independent curatorial and exhibits consultant, she previously developed groundbreaking exhibits and authored automotive texts as Chief Curator at the San Diego Automotive Museum and as an Assistant Curator the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Maria is a graduate of UC San Diego with a B.A. in Art History, where she studied abroad at the Università degli Studi di Padova. She earned an M.A. in Arts & Heritage Policy from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, with her thesis research completed in Istanbul, Türkiye. Maria brings a global perspective to her work and a dedication to inclusive storytelling. A native of San Diego, Maria currently resides there with her family.

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