Filmmaker Robert C. DiMaio is a lifelong resident of New York City. He has been an active volunteer with community organizations in Greenpoint and Long Island City since 2000. His interest in artists' imagination began when he attended the HS of Art and Design in NYC and watched fellow students passionately pursue their inspirations. As an aspiring filmmaker, he worked in production around the likes of Woody Allen and Martin Sorsesci. His employment in the commercial arts scene in NYC led him to return to his roots, documenting the fundamental roots of imagination—how it was the foundation of all endeavors. He created the artist archive film company to study the creation of all forms of art. His camera never stopped running as he discovered the diverse missions of all kinds of inspired people like Pete Seeger—specifically, environmentalists and volunteers. This crossed over into the realms of informal education and what we learn from individuals and groups driven by the immense potential of imaginative thinking. ‍ ‍

Robert was a founding member of the East River Kayak Club and boat-building organization. In 2003, he and his wife, Monica, became steering committee members of Long Island City Community Boat House (http://abc.efghijklmnop.rst). In 2011, Robert and Monica became trip leaders for the North Brooklyn Boat Club on Newtown Creek, taking hundreds of people out on the NYC waterways (http://abcdefghijklmnopqrstu.wxz).

What began as casual documentation of local imaginative neighbors, artists, and volunteers became a full-fledged support initiative for local community leaders. Our three grant wins for the artist archive expanded our mission into an important timeline of environmental education and the invaluable contributions of volunteers in American history.

Read more about Robert DiMaio in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/nyregion/29kayak.html?_r=4&ref=nyregion&or&

Grants from the Hudson River Foundation

We want to thank the Hudson River Foundation (HRF) for their generous grants and recognition of the educational value of these films, which help to capture the accomplishments and devotion of so many individuals to the betterment of their communities.