The company was started by Marcella Hayes Muhammad in 1995 as Maruva Studio, a sole proprietorship selling her fine art originals and prints.  In 2000 Dianne Hayes Quarles, Marcella's sister, joined as a partner and the company was incorporated as Maruva DQ, Inc.  In 2002 the company expanded into art licensing where it could reach a greater and more diverse market.

The name Maruva, DQ represents four generations of creative women starting with

Marcella the principal artist and founder

Ruth, our mother (our angel investor and the wind beneath our wings), and also our grand mother, both named Ruth

Virginia, our great-grandmother, a run-away slave who started her own business as a seamstress

Dianne Quarles, sister and partner

The Sisters and Their Heritage
We come from a family rich in history and culture. Our father, Lt. Col. Harold C. Hayes, began his Air Force career as a Tuskegee Airman. The same passion and that made him want to prove that black men could fly was the same passion that he instilled in us to always be the absolute best in everything we do. Our mother, Ruth Hayes, graduated with honors from the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago when few African Americans were able to attend. With her pioneering spirit she taught us a means of expression through art. Our family and African American culture were our foundation as we traveled with the military across the United States, Europe and the Orient experiencing various places and cultures.

We grew up in a creative and artistic home. We turned our imaginations into reality by designing and making our own clothes, home décor, stationary and gifts. Decorative items that spoke to our culture were lacking in retail stores so we did like so many other African Americans do and improvised. We mastered the art of transforming generic products into creations with the flavor of our own African American culture. Constant requests from friends and customers convinced us to venture into art licensing to provide manufacturers with art that reflects another view of American culture. We want to be able to go into major retail stores and buy accessories and home décor that speaks to our culture. We want others to be able to share in the beauty of our culture as well.

Marcella went on to study visual art, polishing her skills in painting and ceramics. Dianne studied Home Economics, polishing her skills in design, textiles and administration. We are now blessed to be able to realize our childhood dream of combining our experience and talents to share the beauty, spirit and positive energy of our cultural heritage and traditions with the entire world through the creative expression of the visual arts.

We want our art on more than just a wall. We want our art on giftware, home décor, stationary, jewelry, and every surface imaginable throughout the world by way of art licensing. We are confident that our traditions in art can fly with the best in the market today.

Maruva DQ Inc. in the Community
Maruva DQ, Inc. is actively involved with several non-profit organizations in bringing emerging African American artists and seasoned artists into the licensing arena. We strive to bridges the gap between the manufacturers and African American artists. The company has contributed to numerous national and local arts organizations to promote African American art and artists including The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, African Americans for the Arts, Hammond House, Hampton University Museum, Girls Inc., and the Southwest Fulton County Arts Center to name a few.

Marcella's Biography . . .

Dianne's Biography . . .

                

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Maruva DQ Inc. • PMB 123 • 3653-F Flakes Mill Rd. • Decatur, GA 30034
Ph(404) 286-4069 • Fax(404)286-4265
www.maruvadq.com • info@maruvadq.com
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