Santa Fe Living Treasures – Elder Stories

A proud Italian-American, Drew saw combat in Europe in World War II, then studied there afterward. Many years later, in Santa Fe, he worked with the mayor of Sorrento, Italy, to form a Sister Cities relationship between the two places. Since then he has led Santa Feans to Sorrento, and has welcomed many Sorrento citizens here.

His wartime experience left an indelible mark upon Drew, and as an artist and as a man he has expressed its depth. He wrote a novel about that time, and helped start World War II museums in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. And here in Santa Fe, his spirit has been saluted with these words: “Drew has a way of tempering bone-deep world-weariness with optimism and salvation.”

Story by Richard McCord

Photo © 2008 Steve Northup