Mark Alan Young died February 5, 2023. Karla McDuffie was kind enough to share this bio with us. 

Mark Alan Young was born in Washington, DC in 1947. After the Maryland Institute of Art and several apprenticeships, he worked as an artist for 60 years. When you come into the world of art, many artists don't automatically receive you. Young was not only received but was also pushed forward by famous artists who admired his work and encouraged him. Cornelia and Kenneth Noland (Museum of Modern Art, NY) were central figures in the artist’s early years. A friend referred Young to the Nolands. Young states, "I had some idea of who they were, but I was a bit naive as to how well-known they were. At sixteen years old, I had a lot to learn!” Work critiqued by Cornelia and Kenneth Noland in 1964 led to an approval for Young to apprentice with the sculptor David Smith, Bolton Landing, NY after Young graduated from high school. Unfortunately, as summer approached and Young was about to graduate, Smith was killed in an auto accident in May of 1965.

Schools: Studied at the Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore, Md. Apprenticed with Mr. Clyfford Still (Still's credits: MoMA, New York and over 50 museums) 1966-67 in Baltimore, Md. Joined studio group in Georgetown, DC 1968. Opened Gallery on 7th Street NE, Washington, DC - Fred Wertlieb and Mark Young. He studied with Gene Davis, Washington, DC in the 1970s.

Young-owned Studio & Shops: In 1972 Mark opened Vitru Ltd., Kensington, Md. He opened a gallery and studios with five workers making handmade sculptures and art works for commercial and residential projects. They produced over 200 artworks, display paintings, and copper work.

Major Commissions: Mark sold works around the world for 35 years. He held shows in major museums and sold works in art galleries in London, Paris, and many other countries. He created projects for the Smithsonian, the National Zoo, and several Washington Schools of Art, and he maintained galleries in three locations. He accepted commissions for 400 major corporations and for ambassadors of five different countries as well as The King of Saudi Arabia for his residence and the Queen of England. His work was displayed at the White House during three presidents' terms.

In addition to all these accomplishments, Mark Young taught art for 50 years in Washington, DC; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Boston, Massachusetts.

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