We want to encourage anyone who can get to Monroeville, Alabama, to make your way downtown at 10:00 a.m. for the unveiling of the Nicolosi commemorative envelope that was commissioned to honor the 50th anniversary of the film To Kill a Mockingbird.
It's destined to be one of the biggest events in Alabama postal history.
Last year's event in Monroeville was fabulous, and based on the worldwide interest in the film and in the artist, Nicolosi, we predict that tomorrow will be even bigger. Because of the expected crowd on the square, we recommend that you arrive as early as possible.
Postmasters Tonya Hadley and David Neilon in collaboration with The Monroe County Heritage Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, and Nicolosi himself have worked very hard to make this a first-class tribute.
About Nicolosi:
Nicolosi, the world-famous artist who was commissioned to design the commemorative envelope, was kind enough today to take a few moments from his whirlwind schedule to tell us a little bit about himself and tomorrow's event.
He was born in Rockford, Illinois. Although he painted for most of his life, he began his professional life as a dentist (he remains, in fact, a practicing dental surgeon).
His life changed after his work was exhibited at a Miami museum when he received a phone call from the museum's curator. "There is somebody here who wants to pay you a compliment," the curator said.
That person was placed on the line. The admirer was Emmy winner Rue McClanahan, the actress best known for playing the role of Blanche Devereaux on the television show The Golden Girls ("In real life, she was just like the woman on the show," Nicolosi said.)
"You've got talent: you need to think about pursuing your art," she told him.
"You can have it all," she said, meaning that he didn't have to choose between practicing medicine and devoting himself to his dream.
Nicolosi took those words to heart and became the true Renaissance man that he was meant to be. He discovered that indeed, there wasn't a conflict between the worlds of science and art. Happiness and success could be achieved by devotion to both.
"You know when you are following your heart and cultivating your soul," he said. "Don't waste your time on clutter."
In our conversation, he remembered a something from his childhood in Illinois, where he grew up with five brothers (now, three are doctors, two are lawyers). "I grew up in a very strict, disciplined household," he said. "And in my mother's kitchen was a sign on the wall that said What you have been given at birth is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God."
"I want everyone to know about the good news that is coming out of the Postal Service," he said. "I want to move, touch, and inspire others."
While we were chatting, he was on his way to pick up a framed piece of art that he was going to give to Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird.
"I'm so proud to count her as one of my friends," he said.
While he was in the shop, he volunteered to snap a picture of it with his camera phone and send it to us:
That picture and the other framed pieces that were created for event were done by The Framery, a local Monroeville business.
He also wanted to make sure that Postmasters Hadley and Neilon were recognized for the efforts that they put into making tomorrow a success. "The USPS was going to retire the Gregory Peck stamp on March 31. David and Tonya campaigned and asked them to please grant an extension. It worked."
They purchased 14,000 Gregory Peck stamps. Everyone expects them all to be sold.
There were three postmark stamps created for tomorrow. The first postmark to be stamped by each of them is already committed: the first postmark from the first stamp will go to Harper Lee, the first postmark from the second stamp will go to the Heritage Museum, and the first postmark from the third stamp will be sent to President Obama.
Every person buying a commemorative envelope tomorrow will have the opportunity to stand in line to meet Nicolosi and have him autograph it (limit 20 per person, please).
While Nicolosi has been generous enough to do this and to also agree to being available for photographs with every person, he admits to being a bit worried about his hand's ability to do all of that signing. "I work out every day, and recently, I've been making sure to build strength in that hand," he said, laughing.
If you are unable to attend tomorrow's big event, Postmarks will be there to bring the event to you. We can't wait; it will be a thrill that will be talked and read about for years to come.
Our thanks to Nicolosi for speaking with us today.
For more information about Nicolosi, you can visit the Monroe County Heritage Museum's website by clicking here.
