Meet Don Stephens: artist, instructor, and visionary
Welcome to the world of Don Stephens Art, where creativity blossoms and expression knows no bounds. Learn about the artist behind the brush, his journey, and the philosophy that guides his impactful work and teaching.
From inspiration to canvas: Don's artistic journey
For Don Stephens, art is life, and creativity lives in the soul. He stands by the belief that "Perfection is a lie; repetition is the truth." This philosophy has fueled his journey from Art & Design High School NYC (87’) to Temple University Tyler School of Art (BFA 95’). A proud veteran of the USMC reserves (96’), Don has become a prominent Delaware Valley-Philadelphia based artist and instructor. His creative reality is a captivating dance between subjective and objective realms, dedicated to conveying aspects of the current human condition.
Teaching philosophy: repetition for true expression
As an independent artist instructor, Don has shared his passion and expertise with numerous art centers and organizations throughout the Philadelphia Tri-State area, including Perkins Art Center, Markiem Art Center, and Center of the Arts of Southern NJ. He also contributes to Philadelphia Corporation of the Aging and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation-Mural Art of Philadelphia Programs. Don's core message to his students is clear: "Perfection is a lie, and repetition is the true path to truth and expression." He hopes his students gain a profound understanding that consistent practice unlocks their creative potential, fostering genuine and powerful artistic voices.
The distinctive style of Don Stephens Art
Don's artwork stands out through its innovative approach to the visual world. He uses it as a template for creativity, forming the foundation of his non-objective to objective practice. By employing the elements of design—line, shape, form, light, and surface—he creates formal keys to abstract imagery. Utilizing materials at hand, Don constructs a chaotic mesh of color and mark, energizing the surface and engaging the viewer’s eye. Within his content, his intent is to bind mark and color to emotion, as "expressing the human condition remains the ultimate destination along the creative highway I have chosen." His works have been displayed throughout the Mid Atlantic Regional Art Arenas and are part of the Permanent Collection at Cheyney University Atlanticare Corp, earning him a Certificate of International Merit from the Luxembourg Prize.
ARTIST RESUME
Donald Stephens
Born: 1969, Brooklyn, NYC
Education:
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Art & Design HS, Manhattan, NYC
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AAS, Burlington County College, Pemberton, NJ
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BFA, Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Elkins Pk, Pa
Military:
1987- 1995 United States Marine Corps Reserve
Radio Communicator
Experience:
April 2023-Present
HomeLink Inc Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 1hr Drawing and Painting Therapy Sessions Developed and Implemented for Seniors In Crisis3 Days a week Therapeutic Creative Sessions
Jan 2015-Present
South Philadelphia Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Jan 2014-Present
N E Philadelphia Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Feb 2025- July 2025
Cathedral Village Elder Living Roxborough,Pa
Artist Instructor for 3hr Drawing and Painting Sessions Developed and Implemented for Seniors Creative Sessions
June 2020 -2025
Senior Art Camp at the Horticultural Center of Phila Philadelphia, Pa
2week Art Camp in conjunction with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Dept.,
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Artist Instructor of Drawing Classes, for elder community
April 2013-Dec 2025
Juniata Senior Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Sept 2021-June2023
THE ABINGTON Art Center Abington,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2 Fundamental Painting and Drawing Courses
For 9yrs-12yrs and 12 yrs -16yrs, and Drawing 101 for Adults.
Oct2021 -Dec 2021
Juniata Park Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 10 wk LIVE/VIRTUAL 2hr Drawing and Painting course for
Seniors All Levels Sponsored by THE MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA
(Kensington Art Store Front)
April2021 -June 2021
Juniata Park Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 10 wk LIVE/VIRTUAL 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels Sponsored by THE MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA
Oct2021 - June2025
Mann Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for LIVE/VIRTUAL 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Level
Oct 2016-Jan 2022
MRAC Manyunk-Roxborough Art Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2 Fundamental Painting and Drawing Courses
Let’s Draw and Let’s Paint 2hr Courses for beginners and beyond
July 2017-Jan 2022
On Lok Older Adult Center (Chinatown) Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing course for Seniors Beginners to Intermediate levels
Jan 2018-Jan 2021
West Oak Lane Philadelphia Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Feb 2021
Tacony LAB Community Arts Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2 Fundamental Drawing Courses for Older Adult
Sponsored by THE MURAL ARTS PHILADELPHIA
Let’s Draw W/Don Stephens 2hr Courses for beginners and beyond
Feb2018- Dec 2018
Journey’s Way Older Adult Center Roxborough Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course All Levels
Jan 2018-April 2018
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR Older Adult Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Mar 2014- Dec 2017
Lutheran Settlement House Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors All Levels
Mar 2014-Jun 2015
Lutheran Settlement House Philadelphia,Pa
After School Programs Artist/Group Supervisor for Grades 9-12
Dec 2013-Jan 2015
West Philadelphia Senior Center Philadelphia,Pa
Artist Instructor for 2hr Drawing and Painting course for Seniors from beginner to advanced
Sept 2012 –Jan 2013
University of the Arts, PAEP Program Philadelphia, Pa.
Artist Instructor for Arts in Education for Phila. County for 4th and 5th grades
Math and Science Arts Inclusion Programs
June 2011 -2017
Senior Art Camp at the Horticultural Center of Phila Philadelphia, Pa
1week Art Camp in conjunction with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Dept.
Artist Instructor of Drawing Classes, for elder community
July -Aug 2012
Youth College-Smile/Gear Up :Mercer County College Trenton, NJ
Artist Instructor of Drawing- Teen Arts Program 9-12 Through Artworks of Trenton
March 2004-Jan 2011
Perkins Art Center Moorestown, NJ
Artist Instructor of Drawing- Beginners and Beyond
Sept 2007-2009
Senior Art Camp at the African American Museum
Senior Art Camp at the Horticultural Center of Phila Philadelphia, Pa
1week Art Camp in conjunction with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Dept.
Artist Instructor of Drawing Classes, for elder community
Juror for show and selection of prize winners
Mar 2005-2010
Burlington County
County Cultural and Heritage Commission/Teen Arts Pemberton, NJ
Artist Instructor of Drawing- Teen Arts Program Burlington County Cultural and Heritage Commission
June-Aug 2008
IG, Summer Institute for Gifted Students MoorestownandPrinceton, NJ
Artist Instructor of 2D and 3D Drawing & Mixed Media 4-12grades
Nov 2007
Burlington County College 2007 Annual Student Art Show Mt Holly, NJ
Judge for Student Art Show at Burlington County College Art Gallery
Sept 2002- Mar 2003
Garfield Park Academy School Willingboro, NJ
H.S. Artist Instructor for 9-12 grades in Private Therapeutic School setting
Exhibitions:
March-June 2026 ACAG at Philadelphia Marriott Philadelphia,Pa
Philadelphia Artist Group Showing of Selected Artist at Marriott Center City Gallery
July 2025 The Philadelphia Sketch Club Philadelphia,Pa
Showing of Selected Artist in Annual ABSOLUTELY ABSTRACTION ART SHOW
April 2025 Waffles & Wine Opener Philadelphia,Pa
Philadelphia Artist Group Showing of Selected Artist at the James Oliver Gallery 25 pieces displayed
Feb 2025 Dupree Gallery Lambertville,NJ
Regional Group Show SELECTED DELAWARE VALLEY Artist 12x12 Miniature Show
June-Oct 2025 ACAG at Philadelphia Marriott Philadelphia,Pa
Philadelphia Artist Group Showing of Selected Artist at Marriott Center City Gallery
“Summer Exhibition” 2 pieces displayed
April 2024 ACAG at Philadelphia Marriott Philadelphia,Pa
Philadelphia Artist Group Showing of Selected Artist at Marriott Center City Gallery
“Still &Motion Exhibition” 4 pieces displayed
Sept-Oct 2023 Rydal Park Elder Community Jenkintown, Pa
One Man Show Don Stephens Conversations in Mark Making over 39 pieces on displayed from charcoal, acrylics , oils, watercolors, India Ink
Feb 2023 Chester County Arts Association West Chester, Pa
Expressions and Interpretations of 11 Artist of Color-Group Show of Regional Artist
Feb 2023 Dupree Gallery Lambertville,NJ
Regional Group Show SELECTED DELAWARE VALLEY Artist re imagining the
Black History Celebration 2 pieces on display
July 2022-Aug 2022
Burlington County-Rowan College
Summer Art Show Mt Holly, NJ
Group Show of Area artist
Dec2021-Jan 2022 Boston Street Gallery Philadelphia,Pa
One Man Show “The Dance of the Artist Mark” Displaying 30 selected works
Aug-Sept 2020 East Market: WHITEBOX SPACE Philadelphia,Pa
Regional Group Show “Dream Cycles:BETWEEN HOPE & REALITY”13 SELECTED
DELAWARE VALLEY ARTIST 4 pieces on display
Feb 2020 THE ANNEX GALLERY(Smithville Mansion) Southampton,NJ
Regional Group Show “DON’T LABEL ME” 9 SELECTED DELAWARE VALLEY Artist re imagining the Black History Celebration 10 pieces on display
Dec 2019 BSB Gallery Trenton,NJ
Regional Group Show “EVERY GHETTO,EVERY CITY”
Observing the Urban Plight of America
Feb 2019 Holtzman Gallery (Milton&Betty Katz JCC) Margate,NJ
Group Show “HONORING THE PAST, INSPIRING THE FUTURE”
Black History Celebration
March 2019-May 2019 Burlington County Parks & Recreation Mt.Holly,NJ
Warden’s House Gallery: 2 Man Show
Sponsored by Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Feb 2019 Lansdowne Arts Board Philadelphia,Pa
2020 House Art Gallery: Conversations with the Artists
3 Man Show based on viewer creator visual syntax
Jan 2019 Philadelphia Sketch Club Philadelphia,Pa
Regional Works On Paper Show of hand selected Artist
Dec 2018 Smithville Historical and Cultural Commission
of Burlington County Smithville, NJ
Burlington County Div. Of Parks Winter Art Exhibition
July 2018 Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia Philadelphia,Pa
Honoring CORNBREAD GRAPH ARTIST LEGACY
Mural Show of 8hand selected Artist
One day Event of Murals 15ftx20ft walls on 12th and York St. in Philadelphia County
Sept 2018 Pitman 3rd Annual Art Stroll Pitman, NJ
Regional Show of hand selected 30 Artist
Feb 2017 Cheyney University Cheyney, Pa
Group Show Three the Hard Way
Feb 2012 -2013 Center of the Arts of Southern NJ Marlton, NJ
Group Show of selected African American area artist
Feb 2011-2014 Smithville Historical and Cultural Commission of Burl. Co Easthampton,NJ
Group Show of selected African American area artist
Feb 2010 Hopkins House Historical and Cultural Commission of Camden Co Camden, NJ
Area African American Artist, Invitational Show, Hopkins House Gallery
Feb 2010 Smithville Historical and Cultural Commission of Burl. Co Easthampton,NJ
Area African American Artist, Invitational Show
Sept-Oct 2009 Delaware Theatre Company Wilmington, DE
One man show in conjunction with performance of Kevin Ramsey’s “Fire on the Bayou”
Feb 2009 Smithville Historical and Cultural Commission of Burl. Co Easthampton,NJ
Keepers of the Dream, , Invitational Show, Annex Gallery Smithville Mansion
Feb 2007 Smithville Historical and Cultural Commission Burl. Co Easthampton,NJ
Voices and Visions, Annex Gallery Smithville Mansion
Mar-Dec 2006 African American Museum Philadelphia. ,Pa
Silent Voices, Loud Echoes: 30 year Celebration
Feb 2006 and 2004 Gloucester County College Sewell, NJ
Annual Art Exhibition Honoring African American History
Feb2005 Virtua Health, Pavilion Art Gallery Mt.Holly, NJ
Reflections of the African American Artist, selected area artist
Feb-Mar 2003 Essex County College Newark, NJ
Conversations with the Artists
Feb2002 Virtua Health, Pavilion Art Gallery Mt.Holly, NJ
An African American Experience, selected area artist
Collections:
March 2024
Atlanticare Corporate Collection Egg Harbor,NJ
Atlanticare Foundation Healing Arts Pediatric Permanent Art Collection
Nov 2022
Cheyney University Cheyney,Pa
Cheyney University Permanent Art Collection Curated by October Gallery 5 works
March 2019
Atlanticare Corporate Collection Egg Harbor,NJ
Atlanticare Foundation Healing Arts Pediatric Permanent Art Collection
Awards:
Sept 2020 Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia Philadelphia
Pa Micro Grant for Theatre/Artist
Sponsored by Painted Bride and PA Art Alliance
Feb 2016 Smithville Mansion Black History Month Art Show Smithville NJ
3 rd Place NJ State and County Show cash Award
Sponsored by NJ State Parks and Recreation Department
Honors
Artist Certificate of International Merit:
Luxembourg Prize and Pinacotheque Museum Dec 2021
Proclamation from Board of Chosen Freeholders of:
Burlington County Feb 2002
Camden County Oct 2008
"Art is life and creativity lives in the soul. Perfection is a lie, repetition is the truth."
Don Stephens