Donnamarie Davis

Growing up in & around Philadelphia, the Arts became a way of life for multiple generations of my family. My Great-Great Grandfather emigrated from Italy, & was an Architect/Builder; he helped build Connie Mack Stadium. My Maternal Grandparents designed & created clothing, My Mother & Uncle sang Opera, my Aunt was a concert pianist, & my Father sculpted...the Arts were a tradition in our Italian/Italian American culture. My love for drawing & painting wildlife began at an early age; I'm told that I sold my1st painting to my Uncle at 4 years old, for 5cents. The late Gene London encouraged me to pursue Art (I cherish a faded letter he wrote to me & a drawing he made for me.) Years later, after receiving one of my drawings, Disney Studios called & offered me an apprenticeship...a dream come true! A Bronze Award in an International Illustrators' competition in New York led to 2 offers to be a Creative Director (in California & Philadelphia.) But, while studying Art & Theatre in London, England late on a freezing cold December night, my life took a completely different turn. The sweet woman that the school had placed me with was being beaten to death by her 6'2'' boyfriend, & screaming my name for help! I climbed out of the window onto the icy second floor roof, & broke the window of the Flat below with my bare feet. I asked the people in the 1st floor Flat to call Scotland Yard (S.Y.), & S.Y. got there just in time to save this sweet woman. The boyfriend had put a sock in the woman's mouth to stop her from screaming. This tragic event compelled a once extremely SHY Girl to become a lawyer, to help anyone who had been abused. This in turn led to becoming a Federal Litigator who specialized in Education Law (to represent Special Needs Children), Employment Discrimination, & Civil Rights. I'm the Executive Director for a Nonprofit that I co-founded with my Mother (Peace Valley Holistic Center, a 501c3 Charity for Special Needs Children, Youths, & Families, with a focus on Autism.) Additionally, I've returned to my first love-the Arts, to honor my creative spirit. Making movies that touch hearts, heal, bring hope, peace, & start a positive conversation are a way of combining my passion for the Arts, & my passion to shine a light on social justice issues.