A painter in the tradition of the masters. Three generations deep, trained in Chelsea, shown at Art Basel, hung in museums alongside Dalí and Picasso. The New York Times called him a Star Maker. The Straz Center called him art royalty.

The work itself is the real argument. Gods, ships, dragons, and battles rendered in bold color and total conviction. These are not quiet paintings. They are meant to be felt across a room.

And everywhere he has gone, he has built community around the work. The art class he started in Brooklyn fifteen years ago still runs every week, now in Tampa. That same spirit of community is part of why Marcolina's was named a Philanthropist of the Year finalist.