FRANK MARASCORecipient, "2013 Outstanding Advocate for the Arts Award"The Long Island Arts Council a Freeport recently named Frank Marasco as a recipient of a 2013 OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTS AWARD. Frank will be honored on Wednesday, March 13th at Adelphi University's Performing Arts Center for his outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the arts and art education.Please help support Frank in his goal to raise a minimum of $1,000 for this important fundraiser.Proceeds support the Long Island Art Council at Freeport's important programs and services for the children and families of the region! A brief summary of Frank Marasco's background:Born on January 15, 1981 in a small town called San Mango D'aquino in Calabria.  Francesco Marasco migrated here to the US at the young age of six along with his parents and siblings.  With hardly any money in his father’s pocket, Francesco was brought up with a burning desire to learn the “American Dream” and never to quit no matter what.  “If you want something, you have to work hard for it”.Francesco always knew what he wanted to be when he was a young boy; a “business man” and a successful one.  Following his father’s footsteps, he worked under him, first starting out with the family landscaping business and then opening up a granite and marble fabrication business in which he learned the trade overseas.  Fascinated with stone and the natural beauty of mother earth, Francesco was on a mission to create a business that would encompass the beauty of natural stone and art.  He wanted to change how people think and feel about stone and that’s when Zicana was born in the summer of 2012.Francesco wasn’t your “all around” student in high school.  He didn’t have the best grades and he never attended college.   He did though always have a love for the arts and fashion.  Still to this day, you’ll never catch Francesco with a hair out of place and shiny shoes.  Not only did he earn his black belt in praying mantis kung-fu along with many first place titles in tournaments, he was fascinated with how one can use art as a vessel to express themselves freely.  He credits his then girlfriend and now wife, Rosa for opening up his creativity.  Watching her create inspired him to create on his own.  People may laugh at his art and may not understand it but Francesco says, “Everyone’s an artist, it’s what you feel”. Today, Francesco, aka Frank, is humbled by his surroundings and spirituality.  In high school you could never find Frank studying for a test but now he can tell you proudly  that he has read over two dozen books and counting on business and leaders from the Dali Lama to Napoleon Hill. He learns something new from the people and experiences of everyday life. “Everything and every day is an opportunity to become enlightened”.   The 2013 ADVOCATES FOR THE ARTS AWARDS takes place on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 6pm to 8pm, at Adelphi University's Performing Arts Center.  To register or for more information, call Tracey Gittere at (516) 222-0550 or TGittere@LegendaryEvents.net       Visit EventBrite.com for pricing.