ABOUT THE ARTIST
Amil Gargano was born in Detroit on June 4, 1932 with the Great Depression in full swing. At the age of 9, his art teacher at Myra Jones elementary school, urged his parents to send him to a special art school after regular classes. It was his teachers recommendation that launched his career in art. At 15, he was accepted to Cass Technical High School, arguably, the finest high school in America at that time. It was here where he received all the art education he would ever need. More so, in later years, than a University or post graduate studies at an elite art institution.
THE DETOUR THAT DEFINED HIM
In 1952, his education was interrupted for two years by the Army’s call to fight in the Korean War. One rainy night in May 1953 in the high mountains of the 38th parallel, he was wounded on night patrol weeks before the peace treaty was signed.
After post graduate school, he was rejected by every art studio in Detroit. In the Motor City you need to have drawings in your portfolio of motors.
Dejected and desperate for a job, he accepted a lowly position in a business he thought was laughable: Advertising. What he thought would be a temporary job, lasted 50 years. In all those years, his art education was the catalyst for all the historic business successes that followed.
AN ENDURING CREATIVE LEGACY
The name of the advertising agency he co-founded on June 26, 1962, was Carl Ally, Inc. It was later changed in 1978 to Ally & Gargano. Now, along with the title of Creative Director, CEO was added. Within 3 years, in 1981, revenues had trebled, and Ally & Gargano was named Agency of the Year. In 1982, Amil was inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame along with Richard Avedon. In 1984, after winning a record 5 gold medals for one client alone from the most prestigious advertising club in America, the One Club for Art & Copy, they inducted him into their Hall of Fame.
2001 began the time to return to his childhood ambition: To become a serious painter. Having left advertising without regret, he has spent the past quarter century doing what he loves best.
Amil is married to Elaine, his wife of 61 years, with one son, Matthew, and 3 grandchildren, Luke, Harley and Rocco.
GALLERY
