Collection: The Museum
After 25 years of collecting art, David has long dreamed of creating a space to celebrate the work of other artists—those who have inspired him, challenged him, and shaped his creative journey. For him, collecting has never just been about acquiring pieces; it’s been about building relationships, sharing stories, and supporting each other and establishing voices in the many art worlds that exist. This museum represents the next step in that journey: a way to honor the artists whose work has moved him kept him on his path as an artist and to offer the public a deeper understanding of the passion, connection, and vision behind living out your dream.
The idea for the museum came to him in a dream. It was a vivid and powerful vision—one that stayed with him long after he woke up. From that moment, he knew it was something he needed to pursue. It became a mission: to build something that could inspire communities through creativity and art.
His long-standing relationship with the Art of Elysium and Jennifer Howell’s foundation deepened his understanding of the transformative power of art. Through their work, he saw firsthand how creativity could uplift, heal, and connect people—especially those who may not have access to artistic experiences in their daily lives. That realization fueled his desire to give back in a meaningful way.
The concept began simply: he wanted to build a museum in his hometown using shipping containers. He found some containers that were affordable, and the idea seemed both practical and symbolic—reimagining industrial structures as vessels of imagination and beauty. Over the next ten years, he continued to research and refine the vision.
Then he came across what would become the turning point of the project: a breathtaking architectural structure made entirely of shipping containers, arranged in a dynamic starburst formation. I was completely blown away by its originality and emotional impact. The design stirred something deep inside him—it was everything he had imagined and more.
The creator of this design was James Whitaker, the visionary architect behind Whitaker Studio in London. Moved by the design, he reached out to him directly. He was so passionate about the potential collaboration that he flew to London to meet James in person and discuss the possibility of him joining the project. Meeting James only deepened my respect for his work. His portfolio is filled with an ever-evolving collection of inspired, boundary-pushing designs that continue to ignite my imagination.
David knew then that he wanted to share his collection within a structure that was itself a work of art—James’s design. His creation felt like the perfect vessel to house his collection, and also to serve as a cultural landmark and creative space for others.
He has been in ongoing conversations with the city of Watertown, New York, to bring this vision to life on Sewall Island. He believe it’s the ideal location—right in the heart of the city center, and close to where his monument, Alchemy 432, was installed. It feels like everything is aligning: the dream, the design, the community, and the purpose behind it all.
