The Alumnae House at Smith College, situated at 33 North Elm St. in Northampton, is currently housing Elisabetta Franchini’s temporary “Facades of Italy” art exhibit. Visitors enter the stunning Georgian building through a portico with Doric columns, turn left to the first floor and there they can find the Alumnae Gallery. The Gallery houses several alumnae artwork shows each year. Franchini’s exhibit is scheduled to run until April 14.

From a young age, Franchini participated in drawing, design and painting classes. Born to an Italian father and American mother, she grew up surrounded by the Italian language and tradition in her household and visited Europe several times before college. A Smith graduate herself, she spent her junior year abroad in Paris, France before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in art history and French literature. Franchini often turns to her European travels for inspiration in her work, and is especially fond of the Italian countryside and urban architecture.