Recently I was contacted by Jarrod Markman, Executive Director of the Da Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia.  The DVAA-Da Vinci Art Alliance mission is to “build community through art” with public exhibitions, programming, and interdisciplinary partnerships.  DVAA is a non-profit art space based in South Philly that provides resources, exhibition space, and community for its artist members and the surrounding neighborhoods.The organization was founded by 9 Italian immigrant artists in 1931 and has continuously served its members, the South Philly area and surrounding neighborhoods.  The name was selected a name to honor Leonardo of Vinci!

As you might imagine, this all sounded intriguing to me, so I sent Jarrod an email asking if we could speak by phone to discuss their operation. We had a nice chat so I asked if I could make a socially distanced visit to see their gallery. Jarrod offered to meet me during off hours on a Sunday morning. Thanks Jarrod! I had a wonderful visit, and listening to Jarrod’s interest in growing the artist community in and around Philadelphia while focusing on the individual needs of members was truly inspirational.

Needless to say, I decided on the spot to become a member of Da Vinci and several of my photographs are now featured on my member profile at https://davinciartalliance.org/michael-marks.

I have not run into anything like Da Vinci before and it was a nice surprise to during the Covid-19 doldrums to be offered this wonderful opportunity.  I look forward to showing my work at Da Vinci and more importantly to developing new relationships with this exciting community!

Stay safe,

Michael