Mark Maio Bio:

Mark Maio is the Founder of the Visual Archaeology Workshop and divides his time between personal fine art photography and as an imaging consultant in the field of ophthalmology. He has an Associate and Applied Science degree in technical photography, a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Photography, a Master of Arts in Humanities and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography and Communication Design. 

In 1989, while teaching at SUNY Buffalo, Mark began what turned out to be a sixteen year documentary photographic project entitled “Against the Grain”. This project documented Buffalo’s grain elevators, Buffalo’s harbor (the terminus of the Erie Canal), the men who worked in the elevators unloading Great Lakes grain boats and the Irish Old First Ward, (the neighborhood these men lived in adjacent to the elevators). A selection of images from this project can be seen by clicking on the “Portfolio” button in the menu bar above.

Mark’s knowledge of the grain elevators, his relationships with those working and living in the area and his authorized, unrestrictive access to “Silo City”, has created an opportunity for you to make images through the course of a long weekend that normally would be unavailable.

Mark’s fine art photography has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the country in addition to being included in public and private collections. In 2007 a (12) print portfolio of his “Against the Grain” work was purchased by the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film for their permanent collection. 

Mark Maio is the Founder of the Visual Archaeology Workshop and divides his time between personal fine art photography and as an imaging consultant in the field of ophthalmology.