They make a way. - Maryland Institute College of Art

78
ALUMNI/DONOR PROFILE:
A PERSONAL REFLECTION
Robert Davis’62 & Janice Davis
Robert V.P. Davis is a painter, sculptor, designer, and illustrator who
has exhibited in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Chicago, Utah, and Los Angeles, as well as in Sinop and Ankara,
Turkey. A MICA graduate in painting, he and his wife, Janice, have
been passionate supporters of MICA.
“From the first day I walked onto the MICA campus,
I felt a wave of belonging. After a lifetime of academic
struggle because of dyslexia, it was exhilarating
to finally be in an environment that played to my
strengths and to be working on a level playing field
with my classmates. I knew I was there to learn
as much as I could and to develop as an artist
-- my passion since childhood. At MICA we were
all artists. Creating and designing was in our blood.
Artists are mysteries, not formed from a common
mold, but original in their thinking or creative bent.
Artists are chosen to reach for the skies. They are
blessed with the imagination to forge new paths
through images that unite without words.
Four years studying fine arts provided sufficient
foundation to break into a graphic design career
that led me eventually to work with many of the
leading companies in the Baltimore and Washington
area. From advertisements, films, collateral, to the
Internet, we see how important art and design are
in our lives. Little did I know then that my connection
to the college would last a lifetime. Many of my
most enduring friendships are with former MICA
classmates and students. What bonds us all is the
cement called art; art is our connection.
I have supported the college as an alum since the
1970s, serving on the alumni council, more than
25 years of fundraising (the annual phonathons were
a great way to stay connected with alumni I didn’t
see on a regular basis), and participating in scores
of events. Even my wife, Janice, has a connection
to MICA as a result of her community relations
work with PNC Bank and its Maryland predecessor,
Mercantile.
Our support for the Institute is rooted in these
connections. My hope is that every graduate will
experience these same bonds and thus be inspired to
support the school in whatever way he or she can.
MICA was founded on the ideal that a top notch
arts education should be available to every talented
student, regardless of circumstances. As donors, we
believe that we are bringing this ideal to life.
What sets The Maryland Institute College of Art
apart from other art colleges is its leadership in the
world of art and design. From John Latrobe through
Fred Lazarus, the college has continually reinvented
itself, evolving from a school focused on industrial
design to become a leader in digital, technical, and
fine arts today. Its visionary leaders, the dedication
and ingenuity of its world-class faculty, its cuttingedge
academic programs, the contributions of its
graduates -- all combine to make the school a magnet
that attracts the most talented students from
around the world.” — Robert V.P. Davis