We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominique Samarco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

I am an Artist and Educator in Philadelphia. I create Artwork that represents my vision of growing up in Philadelphia in hopes that they create connection to our community. This is seen in my most recent body of work, Philly Dreamin’ & Becoming. Growing up in Philadelphia—the poorest major city in America—dreams often serve as a beacon of hope, a means of escaping hardship and achieving stability. My paintings are a visual narrative of my past, present, and future—interwoven with my hopes, challenges, and growth.

This body of work retraces my personal journey and connection to my community through the lens of equity and currere, an educational method that explores experience in four stages: regressive, progressive, analytical, and synthetic. By revisiting my past and envisioning my future, I have examined how these timelines intersect to shape my present. My paintings depict meaningful places in Philadelphia, bridging personal history with the collective experience of my community. Through this work, I aim to highlight the importance of representation in fine art—how seeing one’s home and experiences reflected in art can foster a sense of belonging, particularly for those who have historically lacked access to artistic spaces. I know first hand, how extremely hard it is to navigate education, and the fine art work when you are building from scratch.

As both an artist and educator, I draw from my experiences growing up in a working-class family in Philadelphia. I am the first in my family to pursue higher education, a journey shaped by resilience and determination. My work reflects not only my own dreams but also my commitment to educational equity and city-based youth.

Philadelphia’s deep financial disparities underscore the need for opportunity, access, and visibility. These paintings are my visual “Why”—a fusion of dreamlike optimism and gritty realism that embodies my life’s journey and the realities of the students I serve. Together, we navigate our pasts, presents, and futures, mirroring the broader human experience.

This series is a tribute—to my community, my aspirations, and the enduring power of dreams.

Dominique, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Philadelphia-based artist and educator committed to fostering creativity, self-expression, and accessibility in the arts. I am first generation college student and Artist. I realize how extremely difficult it is to navigate those two spaces. I began my artistic journey at the Community College of Philadelphia, earning an Associate of Arts in Art and Design, before completing a B.F.A. in Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. I later earned a Master of Education with a focus on Art Education, graduating with distinction and receiving the Ann and Jack Moskovitz Art Education Research Award.

My work spans murals, as well as private and public collections across the East Coast, reflecting my dedication to storytelling through art. As an educator, I taught Art Studio, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, and AP Art and Design in Philadelphia high schools. Currently, I am spearheading the development of a new art department in a school where art was previously inaccessible, creating an inclusive and empowering space for young artists.

I believe that art is a transformative tool for self-expression and empowerment I am committed to making it accessible to all students.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Within my painting practice, I use the concept of the journey as a central source of inspiration. I believe that no matter how long it takes, it is possible to build the life you dream of. To me, dreams are not just fleeting visions, they are guiding forces. The longer the path, the more depth, resilience, and wisdom one gains along the way.

As a first-generation artist and college graduate from a working-class family, I’ve had to navigate unfamiliar terrain with limited resources and without many role models. College was especially challenging, I lacked a sense of belonging and had to figure out everything from academics to finances on my own. It took me four years to complete a two-year community college degree, and transferring to the Maryland Institute College of Art was both a triumph and a culture shock. I vividly remember peers asking where I was traveling for break, they were going to Miami, and I would reply, “I’m staying at school, I can’t afford a bus ticket home.”

My journey is still ongoing. I continue to find my place in the fine art world, building my own connections and forging a path where there was none. When you’re starting from scratch, it’s difficult to isolate a single moment of resilience—because the entire journey is resilience. At times, it has felt like working two full-time jobs just to keep moving forward.

Eventually, I earned a master’s degree while simultaneously building an art and design program from the ground up in the Kingsessing section of Philadelphia—a school that previously had no access to fine arts. I did this because, like my own journey, every student deserves the opportunity to explore and grow through the arts.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, I chose to stay in Baltimore to pursue my art career. Without a support system, it was incredibly difficult. I was earning just $600 every two weeks working in the food service industry, while also trying to navigate my way into both education and the fine art world. The financial instability and emotional toll made it clear how deeply survival depends on having a foundation of support. Everyone deserves at least a basic level of comfort and care.

I taught briefly in Baltimore, but ultimately made the decision to return home to Philadelphia. I realized that contributing to my own community, where my roots are, felt more aligned with my purpose. I pivoted and choose to serve through teaching and community-building. Although the journey hasn’t been easy, it’s taught me the value of home, connection, and the power of showing up for your community. When you give love out, it tends to come back to you in the most profound ways. Having deep connections to home is powerful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dominiquesamarco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquesamarco
• Other: https://davinciartalliance.org/philly-dreamin-becoming