In 2003, Perugian delegates visiting Grand Rapids asked Mic if he would exhibit paintings showing Perugia and it’s Sister City Grand Rapids, Michigan for a 10 year anniversary of the Sister City bond. Mic’s next step was to travel to Perugia to meet with the Vice Mayor to coordinate the exhibition. Mic created 16 oil paintings, Italian and Grand Rapids scenes and 4 bronze statues of St. Francis of Assisi for the show which was held at the Gallery Ciesa S. Maria Della Misericordia in Perugia, Italy from October 3rd through the 12th, 2003. On October 17, after the Perugia exhibit was finished, Mic had his 2nd exhibition in Assisi at Raffaele Ariante Gallery. It was at this display that Padre Enzo Fortunato, from the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, loved the bronze sculptures and inquired about Mic having an exhibition at the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi the following year. He introduced Mic to Padre Vincenzo Coli, head Prior of the Basilica. The exhibition was agreed upon for September 18 through October 16, 2004, during the feast of Francis of Assisi.
