Mr. Donald “Nino” Lombardi, retired member of Local 3 Massachusetts is a true Renaissance man. An Italian immigrant and Korean War veteran, Brother Lombardi joined BAC in 1950 and spent his days as a bricklayer, master mason, and restoration expert. But at night and on weekends, he was an artist. When it came time to retire, Lombardi put down the trowel, picked up the paint-brush, and revitalized his love for art.At 75 years of age, he is still painting.

BAC retiree “Nino” Lombardi of Local 3 MA poses next to one of his inspirational landscapes.

During his career as a mason, he took part in the building of the Columbia Point housing project in Boston as well as the restoration of the Faneuil Hall-Quincy Market area. To Lombardi, masonry is not just about laying brick and constructing buildings. It is about appreciating every detail of a structure and restoring it to its original beauty.As he puts it, “My artwork is a gift from God and masonry work gave me the [opportunity] to work at the trade and to keep up the artwork.”

Brother Lombardi has focused his work mostly in “panoramic” art that shows the observer a cinematographic viewpoint. His paintings can be found all over Beverly, Massachusetts from City Hall to the Cummings Center. The list of his admirers and owners of his work is long, including Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, “Today Show” host Katie Couric, and actor George Clooney.

In September 2000, the same year Lombardi became a lifetime member of BAC, he competed in an art contest held at the State House and received an honorable mention in the oil painting category. He was also the overwhelming winner in the “Popular Vote State House” category, which was determined by attendees, both politicians and citizens alike. One month later, he was honored again in a ceremony hosted by Massachusetts Secretary of State, William Galvin. Currently, Lombardi has been experimenting with his landscape art, creating his work on pieces of fragmented slate from historic Boston buildings instead of traditional canvases.

Nino feels so fortunate to have been a mason, where his work gave him the opportunity to use his artistic talent. He realizes there are many other members that share his passion for art, and his advice to them is “never stop appreciating the beauty in all that you create.”