A Journey of Beauty: Peter Fecteau Brings Italy to Life at Burien’s Little Italy Cultural Center

By: Ruth Storkel

“Beauty is food for our souls,
And it is why artists are the professionals of joy.”
- Peter Fecteau

Little Italy Cultural Center is fast becoming a favorite gathering place in Burien. Located at 13028 1st Ave., it is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. The cultural center presents many events that offer residents of Burien the opportunity to enjoy Italian culture. These include Italian language lessons, “Italian Stories,” sports-watch parties, music programs, fundraisers that benefit the center, and much more. There is also an inviting café that has great coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and gelato.

Casa Italiana, Italian Cultural Center, declares they are “Making a century-long dream a reality. A gathering place in the Pacific Northwest for all those of Italian descent, as well as those who simply love the culture, foods, sounds, and all things Italian.”

On May 2, a special free program was presented to the public: “Italian Images: A Journey of Love.”

The Center was privileged to hear photojournalist Peter Fecteau share his lifelong love for Italy, told in words and beautiful pictures he has taken over many decades. Friends of Peter, art enthusiasts, and lovers of Italy met in one of the center’s meeting rooms to enjoy Peter’s stories of his many experiences in Italy. Michael Miele, a program director at the center, introduced Peter to the audience. (Interestingly, Peter and Michael both lived in Naples 60 years ago, from 1964–1967, as young boys but did not know one another. They just became friends a year ago at the Cultural Center in Burien.)

Peter’s first introduction to Italy was in 1964 as a boy. His family lived there in Naples for three years; from their home they could see Mt. Vesuvius, go to Capri, to St. Peter’s Cathedral, etc. (When not studying, his family went on adventures, visiting Rome and other places.) Peter became very interested in photography and was highly appreciative that his father entrusted him with the use of his expensive camera. (He said his father truly inspired him and helped stir up in him a love for beauty.) There in Italy he saw many marvelous sights he wanted to take pictures of.

The family returned home to America, but Peter could not forget Italy. Eventually, in 1980, during his college years, he was able to take a second trip. His third and most recent trip to Italy was in 2013 on a Catholic Herald pilgrimage trip to Rome. At that time, he took many photos, some at St. Peter’s Cathedral, focusing on the beautiful sculptures. There were times he felt as though he received “divine assistance” because the pictures captured were so perfect and exquisite. Peter expressed how creating beautiful things “happened to me.” “Beauty gives us joy in an otherwise commonplace existence,” he said.

Peter’s heart is still drawn to Italy, and he hopes there are still future trips awaiting him. 

At present, his company, VIA MIRACOLO, Peter Fecteau Photography, sells beautiful scenic greeting cards and large posters/prints online, as well as at art sales and selective shops. He has a large variety of pictures taken from locations such as Assisi, St. Peter’s Cathedral (Rome), the Basilica, Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, and more.

He is available for “Love of Italy” presentations at other venues and can be reached through his website:

PeterFecteau.ArtStorefronts.com or by phone: 719-522-3582.  In addition to being a photojournalist, he is also an expert landscape and real estate photographer.

Peter states, “I hope to bring to others a vision of beauty through my pictures. Though this purpose was not initially my objective, it has become a key element of my work… an expression of the joy I have found in my true profession.”

To see more of Peter’s work, visit his instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/imagesofafternoon/