In 1954, Ivan joined the Art Talents Association of Philadelphia. Soon after, his painting, Letter, was accepted for exhibition in New York City at the Barbizon-Plaza Art Gallery, located at 106 Central Park South, from May 8 through May 20 of 1954.
With his success on the rise and much encouragement, Ivan saved his money and painted enough canvasses to open his own studio/gallery in Philadelphia at 530 West Girard Avenue on April 23, 1955. Two weeks later on May 5, 1955 an article in the “Philadelphia Midtown Crier” reported that several more of his paintings were accepted for exhibition at Barbizon-Plaza in New York.
News articles regarding his works started to appear in local papers in the Philadelphia area. In time, Ivan moved his studio/gallery to 989 North 6th Street where he continued to flourish. He was living his American dream and was positive great success awaited him. He now felt was his fame was inevitable.
Unfortunately, and unknown to him, Ivan exercised poor judgment in choosing the location of his new art studio.
On February 16, 1962, as he was walking along the Philadelphia streets, Ivan was beaten and robbed. All of his money and his personal belongings was stolen – an omen of things yet to come.
In spite of the mugging which adversely affected his emotional state and his deplorable living conditions, his faith remained undaunted in pursuit of his share of the American dream.
