Arrowmen Recognize Artist Greg Perillo

Greg Perillo is not your ordinary artist.  Anyone who answers their phone as "Crazy Horse" definitely has a story to tell.  Perillo chooses to tell his story through his paintings and other Native American works of art.

Perillo started his work with American Indians because of his father's vivid, yet often fictitious stories he adapted from his night school history class.  At age six, Perillo discovered his natural and exceptional ability to draw, and every night would illustrate his father's stories.  This gift of drawing is apparent in his work.   "I begin to fantasize the whole story until I can visualize in my head the moment I want to capture on canvas or in clay," said Perillo during a Meet the Artist session.

Perillo continued this artistic trend into the United States Navy during World War II, and upon returning home in 1947, married Mary Venitti after only six months of courting.  The two continue to love and grow together after over fifty years together thus far.

Mr. Perillo studied under William R. Leigh and has been extremely successful in his work, being recognized as artist of the year, collector plate artist of the year, figurine artist of the year, and doll artist of the year by the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers.

Today, Mr. Perillo devotes his talents and time to many charitable endeavors, such as the creation of gifts for the Parkinsons Foundation, the Archdiocese of New York, the City of New York, the Staten Island Fire Department, and the Boy Scouts of America.

The Order of the Arrow is privileged to have the last living student of the master William R. Leigh in attendance at NOAC 2006.