The Pierro Foundation was created in 2002 in honor of the late Lennie Pierro, the community-spirited artist and professor who co-founded the Pierro Gallery of South Orange, NJ, with his wife, Judy Wukitsch. The goal of this grass-roots, non-profit entity is to make art easily accessible to all, for the health and vitality of the individual as well as the community.
The Pierro Foundation’s first major initiative, the Tony Smith Sculpture Project, led to the installation in 2008 of Tau, a monumental sculpture by the world renowned artist and South Orange native Tony Smith. This museum quality piece, weighing more than six tons, anchors the Village’s beautiful Meadowland Park and is freely accessible to experience and enjoy at any time.
Since the installation of Tau, the Pierro Foundation has continued to engage and enrich the public through its art programming, often in collaboration with other organizations. Partners have included Seton Hall University, the South Orange/Maplewood Education Foundation, South Orange/Maplewood Artists Studio Tours, the Pierro Gallery, the South Orange Performing Arts Center, the Montclair Art Museum, and the Township of South Orange Village.