Biography
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Overview
Mariuccia studied Art at
St.Joseph's High School and the Government School of Arts under the
tuition of V.Apap and professor E.Caruana Dingli. She was a professional
school teacher and script writer with the Education Department. At a young
age she studied piano and singing.
Later on she took up Floral Art as a profession becoming the first Maltese
to hold a Diploma of Demonstrator in this Art. Mariuccia has attended
residential courses and workshops abroad with
teachers of world repute like Jean Taylor and Derek Bridges,
and has well over 30 awards at International level to her credit. She is
the holder of the Demonstrator's Diploma
of the London and Overseas Association of N.A.F.A.S. of which she is also
a member. For more than twenty five years she has been sharing her
expertise in this field with hundreds of her students. In pursuing her
career, she had to
travel
extensively around Europe and other
destinations as far away as Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
A word from the Chairman at the end of the Fifth World Flower Show in New Zealand.
First W.A.F.A. International Course for flower arrangers at Dyffryn House Conference Centre, Cardiff, Wales. Mariuccia is in the middle row, seventh from right. Nadine and Glorian are in the bottom row.
First NA.F.A.S. International Course in Judging , Demonstrating and Teaching at West Dean College Conference Centre, Chichester, Sussex, England
Mariuccia is a member and judge of
the Malta
Horticultural Society. She was awarded a Gold Medal for her contribution
to the Art of Flower Arranging by the Society. She and her two daughters received the most prestigious cup of the whole show (The Daily Mail Perpetual Trophy) a
staggering twenty times from the President of Malta, for their yearly
embellishment of the Society's Great Spring Show at San Anton Gardens in Attard.
Her name is synonymous with the
lavish and stylish biennial theatre performances
"May Inspiration"
in
aid of the Community Chest Fund. These shows held at Malta's leading
theatres comprise of Floral Art, Haute Couture,
Music and Classical Ballet. In December
1989 Mariuccia was awarded another prestigious Gold Medal, presented to
her by Mme.Helene Leduc, W.A.F.A'S President on behalf of the
Societe' Nationale d'Horticulture de France for organizing the "May
Inspiration" series. She is a prize-winner in fashion designing.
Above and right: The Grand Finale of May Inspiration '89 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, with all participants on stage.
Right: Testing the stage lights at the Manoel Theatre in preparation for May Inspiration '87. Stage design by Chev. Aldo Micallef-Grimaud.
One of the models in another edition of the show at the Manoel Theatre.
A A packed House at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Mariuccia features regularly in exhibitions both in Malta and abroad.
Exhibitions
Dame Micallef-Grimaud has mounted countless personal
and collective exhibitions of painting and Floral Art. Memorable ones
include her first solo, held at the Public Library in Valletta.
This was
followed by others at Palazzo Ferreria, opened by the Minister for Social
Services. At St. John's Co-Cathedral Annex and the Mediterranean
Conference Centre, opened by the President of Malta and the National
Museum of Fine Arts, opened by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Other
exhibitions include one organized by UNESCO CLUB (Malta)- an imposing
collective painting exhibition for all five members of the
Micallef-Grimaud family held at the Meridian Phoenicia Hotel and
opened by the Minister of Education. "Towards Floral Art" was another
major exhibition opened by the Prime Minister of the time.
International and Local Competitions
Throughout her long and brilliant career
Mariuccia has scooped up numerous prizes both locally and abroad. An
endless row of certificates and awards of all sorts adorn most of her
studio walls, proof of her extraordinary artistic abilities. Suffice to
say that Mariuccia has four Gold Medals to her credit.
To the right is a photo of a gala dinner in Brussels
after a week of hectic competitions. The numerous competitors came from
around the world. Mariuccia is the lady in
blue just off- centre, left, at the very bottom of picture. Her daughter
Nadine can be seen to her right.
International Demonstrations
Mariuccia has given Floral Demonstrations at Lambeth
Church, London and other Conference Centres.
She has demonstrated in
French at the prestigious Palais de Congres' in Brussels at the
invitation of the World Association of Flower Arrangers. She was invited
by N.A.F.A.S. to give two other demonstrations, one in Ashford City Hall
and another in Shorne, U.K.
International Judge
In 1998 she had the great honour of being
invited by Princess Caroline to form part of the jury for the
International Concours de Bouquet held in
Monaco. In 1999 Mariuccia was
invited by W.A.F.A.to visit
New Zealand and sit on the International Panel
of Judges in the fifth W.A.F.A. competitions held in New Zealand.
Seen to the left is H.R.H Princess
Caroline of Hanover.
H.R.H.Queen Fabiola of Belgium congratulating Mariuccia for her prize-winning exhibit.
Honours and Appointments
In the eighties Mariuccia was appointed Court Legal Expert in Floral Art and in Dress Designing.
Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Mariuccia is also a member of the Council of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. In 1987 she was awarded the Society's highest honour in this field - the Silver Medal for her contribution to Art.
Accademia del Mediterraneo
1990- Mariuccia being awarded the "Medaglia Aurata al Merito" by the Academy of the Mediterranean. Above: Prince C.F.Alleata declaring Mariuccia as vice-president of the Accademia del Mediterraneo.
Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika
In December 1997 she was honoured by the State with the "Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika".
Gieh il-Belt Valletta 2011
On Sunday 27th.March 2011, at a reception held to celebrate Valletta Day, Valletta Mayor Dr.Alexei Dingli presents Mariuccia with the Gieh il-Belt award. The award goes to persons distinguishing themselves with excellence in various areas (such as Art and Culture) who have been nominated by Valletta residents.
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St.Lazarus of Jerusalem
In November
2006 Mariuccia was presented for promotion in the grade of Dame
of Grace, in the Military and Hospitaller Order of St.Lazarus of Jerusalem
(picture below)
- an order which had already bestowed upon
her the grade of commander in 2004.
(left)
Featured Works
She is the author of the book - "The Beauty of Floral Art" - P.E.G.Ltd. ISBN: 99909-0-317-4.
Her work is featured in Lyn Amo's book "Living with Flowers", "The Flora International", the "Flower Arranger", "People in the News". In Judith Blacklock's Encyclopedia of Floral Art, in "Who's Who" and in Depiro's "Dictionary of Artists".
Family
Mariuccia is married to Chev.Aldo Micallef-Grimaud, himself a well known artist in his own right. Her son Mario Ivan and her two daughters, Nadine and Glorian, are all involved in the Arts.
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