As an artist, my practice incorporates bold colors and natural elements to bring energy and life to my work. When I moved to Cleveland from Kansas City for school, I had no idea what to expect. People would ask, “What is there to do in Ohio?” But contrary to popular belief, Cleveland is a dynamic city. I’ve found community in the dance scene, run clubs and even figure drawing groups in Little Italy—all of which continue to inspire my creativity. This place has shaped me in many ways, both as an artist and as a person.
Bruno Casiano - Artist Statement:
Bruno Casiano is a Puerto Rican artist based in Cleveland, Ohio. Born in Gary, Indiana, he moved at age 10 with his family to their hometown of Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. The island’s natural landscapes and rural life strongly influenced his artistic vision.
His work blends traditional and contemporary styles, often evoking the look of serigraphy, a key element of Puerto Rican folk art. Common motifs include mountains, ceiba trees, caves, leaves, and water—rendered in bold, high-contrast forms.
Casiano studied at the School of Fine Arts in Old San Juan and later earned a full scholarship to the Parsons-affiliated School of Design in the Dominican Republic. He received his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1996. In 2021, he opened the Bruno Casiano Gallery and in 2023 held a solo show at moCa Cleveland, featuring 11 large mixed-media works. One piece, Estructura, draws on childhood memories, using stencils, textiles and spray paint to merge geometry and nature.
Description of Work:
This mural was inspired by the rich diversity of cultures and communities that make up Cleveland — a city beautifully connected through its bridges and neighborhoods.