Mark Dance

Mark Dance was born on October 31, 1964. His life has been shaped by many influences and founded on an artistic heritage that began in the 1700's. Dance is a direct descendant of the eighteenth century artists and architects, Nathaniel and George Dance. These early Dances influenced as much as thirty percent of London's architectural layout. Nathaniel Dance, a founding member of the Royal Academy is known for a portrait he painted of Captain James Cook as well as portraits of George III and his Queen. Nathaniel's son, George who was also a founding member of the Royal Academy, painted a portrait of Captain William Bligh and succeeded his father as city surveyor and architect in 1768.

The "Brandywine Tradition" has been a constant influence for Mark Dance throughout his life. Mark's father, Robert Dance, studied at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art where he thrived under the instruction of Henry Pitz and W. Emerton Heitland. Henry Pitz was a well known early twentieth century illustrator who authored books on Howard Pyle and the Brandywine School. Robert Dance is today known to be one of America's premier maritime realists.

In 1992, Mark received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. At that time he moved into the Chadds Ford Area. Here, the collections of the Brandywine River Museum and the masters of the Pennsylvania Impressionists movement are key to Mark's focus. Other artists such as John Twachtman, Childe Hassam and J. Alden Weir inspire Dance as well. However, one of Mark Dance's greatest influences and one of the strongest friendships he has known is the kind guidance he has found through Rea Redifer. Redifer, one of the most regarded artists of the Delaware Valley and Robert Dance have undoubtedly inspired much of what is to be admired in Mark's work.

Mark Dance's work can be seen at Strodes Mill Gallery, Inc., 1000 Lenape Road, West Chester, Penna., 610-429-9093.