Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Brian Testa (B. 1997-) is a New York-based, American Artist Educator. Testa was born in Queens, New York. He is recognized for his community service and large oil-based monotypes. Testa was awarded special congressional recognition in 2014. Brian was also recognized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for his "Court of Honor" on earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 2014.
In 2017 he received recognition for his contributions to the 4th R-Reimagine Project from Creative Opportunities Promoting Equality NYC, The New York City Art Teachers Association, United Federations of Teachers with Materials for the Arts. In 2019 Testa was awarded the Art and Design Education Merit Award for outstanding creative work in community arts.
He currently lives on Long Island, where he maintains an active studio and teaching practice. Testa is certified as a New York State Visual Arts Teacher and a Citizen Public Health Leader. Testa earned his Master's of Art in Art Education from the University of Florida in 2022. Testa earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art & Design Education, with a focus on S.T.E.A.M. from Adelphi University in 2019. He also received his Associate of Arts in Art Studies from Nassau Community College in 2017.
His original artwork can be found in private collections internationally, digitally as NFTs, and as replicas on retail products. His work is informed and inspired by his experiences, teaching practice, and community art-making. In addition to his large oil-based monotypes, his body of work includes Mixed Reality and Plein Air Paintings. Mixed Reality (XR) paintings explore the intersection between the digital world and the real world. The viewer can immerse themselves into this new reality by combining traditional art forms with digital techniques. The result is a merging of three perspectives, that of the viewer, that of the artist, and that of the computer. His Plein air paintings evoke a deep fascination, respect, and reverence of water.
In addition to creating work as a solo artist, Testa is a New York City D.O.E. Art Teacher at The Bronx High School For Medical Science. Testa is also a teaching artist for ArtsAction Group, an international community-based collective committed to facilitating arts initiatives with children and youth in conflict-affected environments. He is also an Art/STEAM Educator for the Liberty Partnership Grant and STEP Program at Adelphi University. By exploring problem-solving-creativity, students improve their abilities to achieve higher learning standards. Testa is the Founder of (LIFEC) Long Islanders For Environmental Change, a grassroots collective committed to environmental activism, policy change, and community outreach. LIFEC has participated in several peaceful demonstrations, beginning in 2014 with the People's Climate March; the largest climate march in history.
EDUCATION
2022 Master of Arts, Art Education, University of Florida
2021 Certificate, Public Health, Cornell University
2019 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art & Design Education, Adelphi University
2017 Associate in Arts, Art Studies, Nassau Community College
CERTIFICATIONS
2021 Citizen Public Health Leader, NYS Department of Health
2019 Visual Arts Education P-12, NYS Department of Education
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
“Oil Spill Diptych”,
Summer Showcase, College of the Arts, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
"Freedom Too..."
Fellbach-Haus, Suharekë, Kosovo
"Montauk",
10th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland Oregon,
2022
"Field Two – Jones”,
66th Annual Members', Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery, The Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, New York
"Captree IV",
4th Annual Online Juried Exhibition, The Idaherma Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.,
Princeton, New Jersey
"Booth #49",
Art In The Park, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach , Oyster Bay, New York
“Coe Hall”,
The Best of the Best, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
“Twilight Diptych”,
Honey, I Shrunk the Art, Darcy Gallery, The Firefly Artists, Northport, New York
"Waterfall One”,
65th Annual Members', Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery, The Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, New York
“Number Seven”
125th Anniversary Alumni, Performing Arts Center Gallery, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
“Massapequa, Untitled #1, Untitled #2”,
Six By Six, Grants Pass Museum of Art, Grants Pass, Oregon
“Inhale”
Emotions – 2021, Gallerium, Online Exhibition, Ontario, Canada
2019
“Becoming One”,
B.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, PAC Gallery, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
2018
"Outside In-Inside Out",
Preforming Arts Center, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
"Nga Jasht Mbrenda-Nga Mbrenda Jasht",
Fellbach-Haus, Suharekë, Kosovo
2017
'Dwell: An Interactive Art Project",
South Lawn, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
"Dwell",
COPE NYC Art Expo, Acumen Capital Partners, Flushing, New York
2015
“Rust”,
Go APE, Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery, The Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, New York
2013
“Venus”,
For the Love of Art, Adelphi University, Arts Center Gallery, Garden City, New York
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
2023
Universe Mural, The Bronx High School For Medical Science, Bronx, NY
2022
School Tree Mural, The Bronx High School For Medical Science, Bronx, NY
2020
Face-Mask Benefit, Fund to Advance New York City, New York, NY
A Taste of Piedmont Program, St. John's Prep School, Astoria, NY
2019
Drawing Machine Workshop, Freeport High School, Freeport, NY
Garden Vines Beautification Project, Jackson Annex, Hempstead, NY
Drawing Machine Workshop, Wyandanch Memorial High School, Wyandanch, NY
Blue Crab Signage Beautification, Wyandanch Memorial High School, Wyandanch, NY
Radical Manifesto Workshop, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
2018
Drawing Machine Workshop, Plainedge Middle School, Bethpage, NY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2022-
Art Teacher, New York City Department of Education,
The Bronx High School for Medical Science, The Bronx , NY
2019-
STEAM & Art Educator; Liberty Partnership Program & STEP Program
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
Freeport High School, Freeport, NY
2018-
Teaching Artist, ArtsAction Group, International
Suharekë, Kosovo
2014-
Founder, Long Islanders For Environmental Change (LIFEC), St. James, NY
2020-2021
Art & Earth Science Teacher, St. John's Preparatory School, Astoria, NY
2019
Student Art Teacher, Wyandanch Memorial High School, Wyandanch, NY
Student Art Teacher, Floral Park Bellerose School, Floral Park, NY
2018
Teaching Assistant, Nassau BOCES, North Bellmore, NY
Interim Exhibitions Curator, University Gallery
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
2012-2014
Education Associate, The Whaling Museum & Edu. Center, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
COLLECTIONS
Private collection, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Private collection, Ixelles, Belgium
Private collection, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Private collection, Manhasset, New York
Private collection, Massapequa, New York
Private collection, Sagaponack, New York
Private collection, Washington, D.C.
COMMISSIONS
2019
Jackson Annex Mural, ArtsAction Group & Garden Vines, Hempstead, NY
2015
Winter Window Mural, Plainedge Public Library, Massapequa, NY
CURATIONS
2022
Native Perspectives, Virtual Exhibition, Art Steps, Online Exhibition
2020
Autumn Aspirations, Gallery 21-21, St. John’s Prep School, Astoria, New York
125th Anniversary, Gallery 21-21, St. John’s Prep School, Astoria, New York
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS
2018
In Kosovo, Turning Civil War Memories Into Art, AU News, Published June 5th
2017
COPE NYC Art Expo, Wall Street International, Published November 28th
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2021
UF Graduate Grant, University of Florida
2020
UF Graduate Grant, University of Florida
2017
Angela B. Kulewicz Art & Design Education Scholarship, Adelphi University
Eagle Scout Scholarship, Adelphi University
Transfer Talent Scholarship, Adelphi University
2016
Community College Partnership Award, Nassau Community College
AWARDS
2019
Art and Design Education Merit Award, For Outstanding Creative Work in Community Arts, Adelphi University
RECOGNITIONS & HONORS
2018
Certificate of Recognition, Balanced Mind Conference XXII, Molloy College
2017
Certificate of Recognition, For Your Outstanding Contribution to the 4th R-Reimagine Project, COPE NYC, NYCATA/UFT, MFTA
2014
Eagle Scout, In Recognition of Successful Completion of all Requirements for Scouting's Highest Rank, B.S.A. Troop 689
In Recognition of your "Court of Honor", On Earning the Rank of Eagle Scout, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Peter T. King
2013
Certificate of Excellence, In Recognition of Valuable Contributions to the Visual Arts, Plainedge High School
In Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Art, NAHS & NAEA
2012
Certificate of Recognition, Excellence in Studio Art, Plainedge High School
AFFILIATIONS
2021- Teaching For Artistic Behavior (TAB)
2020- Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
2019- National Art Education Association (NAEA)
2017- Kappa Pi International Art Honor Society
2014- National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
CREATIVE AND SCHOLARLY INTERESTS
Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain Technologies: Cryptocurrency, NFT, Web 3.0
Choice-based Art Education
Indigenous, Visionary, and Shamanic Artwork
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality
Copyright © 2023 BRIAN TESTA - All Rights Reserved.