Alexi Sumberac-Santalesi immigrated to America from the region of Istria, a peninsula on the border of Italy Veneto and the former Yugoslavia. Originally Venezia Giulia Istria, historically part of the legendary & beloved Republic of Venice (La Serenissima), this region has a centuries long tradition of lime plastering and fresco painting of churches, chapels and family owned chapels ("small chapels"). One of the main features of Venetian architecture is the proliferation of Istrian Stone, which can be seen used throughout the great churches & buildings in the Republic of Venice, Italy and the world.