BRIAN TESTA

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

"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

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