By Sarah Bamford
I’ve always been energetically pulled towards events that support and promote fashion, art, and design. And as a public relations professional, I’ve organically built a network of talented individuals in and around these industries throughout the years. A little more than a decade ago, just before I formed Hybrid Media, I was introduced to David Morico, a renowned full-time abstract artist, and his wife Dollka. We met at Kismet, an interior design store in Westport, Connecticut on a night the owner/interior designer was celebrating Dave’s latest artworks.
At the time, Dollka was working as a Creative Director for a top advertising agency in Manhattan while moonlighting as a mixed media artist in her spare time. As I became friends with the Morico’s I expressed my interest in art and they invited me to their studio spaces at the St. Philip Artists’ Guild (spagstudios.com) in Norwalk. I remember being immediately drawn to Dollka’s work which is inspired by the luxury clients that she worked with at the ad agency, brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Veuve Clicquot. Her abstract realism interpretation of these brands within her canvas confines caught my attention. Deconstructed, less pretentious but still representing glamor.
Over the years we stayed in touch and would cross paths from time to time. I bumped into Dave in Greenwich at a high-end art event that Jen Danzi hosted at a private $30million dollar estate. Dave was showing a new pop-art style of work and I remembered asking him for the price of his painting featuring an exaggerated British flag. This new signature style spoke to me, it was fun, colorful, and bold. I asked Dave to participate in an Artist Program at one of my client’s restaurants on Greenwich Avenue, Meli-Melo Creperie, and he accepted. First Dave showed then Dollka, they would individually show separately at Meli-Melo’s sister restaurant, Bistro V (formerly known as Versailles).
Fast forward to the pandemic and the winter of 2020. Once businesses started to open up again I learned that Dolkka pivoted to focusing on her art full time and the couple partnered with Arnold Karp, a local residential and commercial developer, to transform one of Karp’s empty storefronts in New Canaan into Dollka & Dave Gallery (dollkaanddave.com). Sumi, my 7lb rescue dog, and I went to visit the gallery at the beginning of 2021 and I became enamored by all of the new colorful works they created during the shutdown.
Dave’s newer mixed-media series features pop art and retro collage. This work really developed into one of his signature styles alongside his trademark abstract landscapes. Between each of their unique artist identities, the gallery space in New Canaan was filled with vibrant art that produced stimulating energy, and it was infectious. Especially after seeing Dollka’s new Chanel-inspired work! There was no way I’d be able to leave that day without a piece from her new 2020 series. Plus, Sumi looked too cute posing in front of her pieces for my Instagram stories. That afternoon Dollka explained that partnering up as a husband and wife artist team at the gallery gave them momentum. It gave them the opportunity to maintain the integrity of their individual brands while providing them with an opportunity to collaborate. “During the pandemic, we took a step back from trying too hard to make a distinction between our art,” said Dollka. She continued, “We looked at collaboration as a way to make a stronger impact, two artists uniting under one roof.”
For the first time, Dollka and Dave created a piece together, with the help of Dollka’s sister, and it was on display at the galley when I visited. Dave also explained that their platform for expression was how they both stayed positive and hopeful during the shutdown and this new partnership seemed to be the silver lining. The gallery gave them the space to share their hope and positivity, connect with people in the community again, and the inspiration to rebuild after a challenging season filled with uncertainties.
Soon after my visit the Morico’s returned to decorating the exposed brick wall at Bistro V, the bright yellow walls at Meli-Melo, but this time their work was mixed together, side by side. The couple also helped launch the artist program at The J House in Greenwich with Tony Capasso and his team. In addition, last summer Dollka and Dave Gallery moved into one of Karp’s larger spaces in New Canaan’s business district. “Working with our partners has been so wonderful,” Dave explained. He continued, “We can’t thank Arnold, Marc, and Tony enough for inviting us to fill their spaces with our art. We are fortunate to belong to such an incredible community that appreciates and understands the value of art”.
Notables such as Marc Anthony, Demi Lovato, and the former VP of Marketing at CBS, George Schweitzer own artwork by both Dollka and Dave. Both will be participating in the Art to the Avenue exhibition hosted by the Greenwich Arts Council this spring in addition to showing work throughout the County and at Lyons Gallery in Australia (thelyonsgallery.com). Visit Bistro V and Meli-Melo this month to see their latest artwork featuring pieces that were custom made for the spaces. Also, make a dinner reservation at Bistro V and you might receive a limited edition embellished print by one of the artists. They were created exclusively for Bistro V!
