American International College Honors the Life and Legacy of Alumnus John Buonani
The West Wing Gallery at AIC is featuring the work of celebrated artist and alumnus John Buonani
(photo by Leo Pilares)
“John Buonani was a true renaissance man,” said Frank Borrelli, assistant dean of student support and experiential learning, who curated the exhibit. “He was a writer, painter, and musician who loved AIC.”
Buonani published five books of experimental writing and exhibited his paintings nationally and internationally. His work was shown at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and in exhibitions across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Venice, Italy, including the Biennale of Nations. He served as a resident artist at Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art in Chelsea, New York, and participated in Artexpo New York and the Clio Art Show.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from AIC, Buonani attended Paier College of Art and completed graduate studies at institutions including Berklee College of Music in Boston. In addition to his visual art and writing, he performed professionally as a musician throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
Reflecting on his artistic philosophy, Buonani once wrote:
“I’m an emotional artist not a technician. Most paintings are completed within ten minutes. My motivation comes from the feeling that art gives to me. The universe is expanding. My work is an extension, an expansion of who I am. I attempt to go as far as I can with my imagination and materials, breaking the boundaries. When I began painting, I only wanted to be a painter. Whatever happens, I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Beyond his artistic accomplishments, Buonani made a significant monetary gift to AIC to support the arts. According to Borrelli, the gift has strengthened educational opportunities for students in visual, performing, and digital arts, as well as communication and film.
“Our Division of Arts, Media, and Design has used funds from this donation to develop a new 20 iMac lab, expand technological capacity in our TV/Broadcast Studio, provide access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and renovate academic spaces to meet the needs of today’s students,” Borrelli said. “We look forward to future improvements made possible by John’s generous gift.”
“Through John’s extraordinary gift to American International College, we are reminded that philanthropy is not just about generosity,” added Eunice Bragg, vice president for institutional advancement. “It is about legacy. John’s artwork offers a lasting source of inspiration, dialogue, and discovery for our students, alumni, and friends.”
With his creative work and philanthropic support, Buonani leaves a lasting imprint on his alma mater. His vision continues to shape the AIC community and inspire future generations of Yellow Jackets.
The exhibit will run through March 30 in the West Wing Gallery of AIC’s Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center at 1000 State Street in Springfield. It is free and open to the public.
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Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral-granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Education. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.
Denise Vozella , Public Relations and Communications Manager
SPRINGFIELD, MA — Throughout March, American International College (AIC) will showcase the work of alumnus John Buonani, Class of 1972, in a special exhibit in the College’s West Wing Gallery. The exhibit celebrates the life and legacy of the accomplished artist, writer, musician, and dedicated supporter of the arts who passed away in October 2025.