People: Museum opening a family affair

Surrounded by priceless masterworks in the Great Hall of the Museum of Fine Arts, Mario Buccellati II feels very much at home. Many of the jewel-encrusted treasures in the current exhibit at the St. Petersburg museum were pieces he grew up with as a child in New York.

Buccellati, president of Buccellati Holding America Inc., was in the Tampa Bay area recently for the opening of "Art of the Goldsmiths: Masterworks from Buccellati." After giving the museum docents a crash course on the priceless items that will be on loan through May 20, Buccellati talked about his family. Since the mid-18th century, the Buccellatis have been renowned goldsmiths, jewelry designers and silversmiths. The Milan artisans are credited with keeping the spirit of the Italian Renaissance alive.

The pieces on exhibit were created by his grandfather, the late Mario Buccellati, and uncle Gianmaria, who heads the company. Mario II's father, Luca, founded the New York operation in 1951 and was responsible for some of the items.

Luca Buccellati opened the New York store on E 57th. It is now selling to fourth-generation patrons, Buccellati says. While the company does not share its clients' names, Buccellati inadvertently mentioned that he had gone to school with John F. Kennedy Jr.

Buccellati also said that almost 63 percent of the company's global business takes place in North America.

While the museum's collection is priceless, it is possible to acquire Buccellati pieces for less than $150. The museum store will be selling some items, and this past week the Neiman Marcus at Tampa's International Plaza started carrying some pieces of jewelry and accessories.

Buccellati, 42, attended Boston University and holds a degree in international business from New York's Pace University.

Joining Buccellati in St. Petersburg for the formal opening of the exhibit Jan. 20 was his wife, Lauren. The couple and their five children, ages 3 to 12, live in Bedford, N.Y.

Always a winner

Actor Jon Voight was in the Tampa Bay area for a big Holocaust Museum fundraiser Jan. 25 in Tampa. The engaging, Academy Award-winning actor is a great friend of the Florida Holocaust Museum and is always willing to participate in its fundraising activities.

Just before heading to the Tampa Bay area, Voight was in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe awards. Both Voight and son-in-law Billy Bob Thornton were nominees: Thornton for best actor in The Man Who Wasn't There and Voight for his supporting role (as Howard Cosell) in Ali. Voight's daughter, actor Angelina Jolie, has won three Golden Globes.

While lunching at JJ's Pizza & Subs in downtown St. Petersburg, Voight graciously posed for pictures with the staff. The waiters now are sharing their photographs with interested patrons.

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