Taking Center Ice the artwork of Tony Capparelli presents his audience with many visions. Dubbed the "Michelangelo of the Meadowlands" by Stan Fischler, Tony's work has been featured at ceremonies honoring various New Jersey Devils hockey players. With league commissioner Gary Bettman and New Jersey team owner Dr. John McMullen on hand, these unique airbrush paintings mark Tony a star in his own right.

But Tony is at home in any media available to the artist. Whether sketching Monica Seles courtside, or painting the loyal fan base of the New York Giants, Tony has found a way to satisfy many tastes. His unique original "Gum & Tusche" serigraphs are among his most collected works. His charcoal and pastel work, Boston Babe", was featured in the prestigious 100th anniversary at the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore. He is also considered a pioneer in the telecard artworld, bringing to Americans an awareness of this product. His depiction of various NASCAR races has made them collector's items.

Tony was featured in The Robb Report magazine, citing him as an artist whose works will continue to appreciate in value. Not limited to one style, Tony's explorative personality makes him an artist to watch into the future.

Recipient of Art Direction Magazine's Award of Excellence and The Beckett Sports Art Gallery Award, Tony has painted magazine covered including, The National Review and Financial World. His paintings have graced the covers of award-winning N.H.L. yearbooks. Tony was also selected with three other prominent artists to produce the first gold telephone card for Sprint.

What's on deck for Tony now? Completion of a painting of the Montreal Forum, as well as further exploration of stadia & personalities. "It's intriguing -- the changing influence and interaction between sports and society today," says Tony. "You see the obvious manifestations in the contours of baseball stadiums through the years. Years ago, the ballparks fit into an existing neighborhood. You can see it in the odd dimensions of the outfield fence. But the opposite is true today. Just as the ballparks were once defined by their neighborhood, it is now the neighborhood, even a city which is defined by the structure housing the local team. And what does this say about us?"

Tony currently teaches several illustration classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.