This week’s featured artist: Stephen Borko, Board of Directors, member since 2003
ME: I am a native Washingtonian (a breed not as rare as is commonly believed) and currently live in Bethesda. I have had a career in managing a variety of nonprofit organizations in Washington, from think tanks to arts organizations. My passions include travel, inventive food, and many kinds of music, enjoyed with good friends. In addition since 1971 my wife and I have collected art and fine handcrafts.
MY ART: My photographic vision has developed over four decades as a collector and enthusiast of the visual arts and initially as a casual photographer. I try to capture the essence of places visited and reflect my view of landscapes on and off the beaten path, people who reside in these places, and man-made additions to these landscapes. I was particularly influenced by the work of photographer Joel Myerowitz. A reviewer once characterized my photographs as “lonesome landscapes.” After years of concentrating on color landscapes, I have recently developed a renewed interest in black and white images and an increasing interest in photographing people.
MFA & ME: I became aware of MFA in late 2003 and, to my surprise and pleasure, two of my photographs were accepted in the 2004 Small Wonders show enabling me to see my own work on a gallery wall for the first time. Shortly thereafter, at a time when MFA was in transition as it was approaching its fifth decade, I became a member of the board. My hope was to bring my experience in nonprofit management to identify best management practices, to help expand and diversify board membership, and to help get MFA on a stronger financial footing. I have had the honor to work with committed and talented volunteers who serve on the board, staff, and committees as well as many MFA artists, all of whom have worked together to create a renewed and stabilized MFA. It has been my privilege to work closely with Joe Dickey, Sharon Arsenault, Joann Vaughn, among others, who shepherded MFA through difficult times and have made MFA a major force in the arts in Annapolis and beyond. I have a show of mostly new photographs in the Holley Gallery from April 23-May 10.
Every week, we feature an MFA member for “Me & My Art Monday.” If you are interested, please submit a photo and three paragraphs: one each about YOU, YOUR ART, and MFA & YOU totaling approximately 350 words, to meandmyart@mdfedart.org.
Be sure to catch Steve’s fabulous one-man photography show at MFA Circle Gallery!