BIOGRAPHY
Nic Cruz (b. 2001) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles, California. His practice spans painting, illustration, video, animation, performance, sculpture, writing, music composition, installation, and community-building.
Nic received his B.A. in Art from the University of California, Irvine (2022) and a minor in Art History. He is currently attending the California Institute of the Arts to attain his Master's degree in Fine Arts and is expected to graduate in 2026.
Nic's work draws on the beauty of the natural world, guided by Impressionist painters and Romantic literature. He also pulls from the surreal; his style features bold, saturated colors and multi-layered imagery emerging from the unconscious human psyche.
With turbulent, uncertain times, Nic hopes to garner a sense of belonging for his audience and lead with compassion through his art.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
California Institute of the Arts, Fine Arts MFA, Class of 2026
University of California, Irvine, Fine Arts BFA with a minor in Art History, Class of 2022
Exhibitions
2026 Open Studios - featured artist - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2026 TO CLIMB A TREE - Graduate Thesis Solo Show - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2025 Music To Paint To: Class Group Show - Participant and Curator - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2025 Ritual of Almanac Activity - MFA 2 of Art Group Show - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2025 Open Studios: Featured Artist - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2025 4 - Graduate Mid-Residency Solo Show - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2024 Artventure OC - Group Exhibition, Best in Show: Representational Art - Costa Mesa, CA
2023 Artventure OC - Group Exhibition - Costa Mesa, CA
2023 XZBT Gallery - Group Exhibition - Fullerton, CA
2022 10 Thursday Exhibition Night - Claire Trevor School of the Arts - Irvine, CA
2019 International Bacchelaureate Show - Class Group Show - City Hall, Buena Park, CA
COMMUNITY PRACTICE
2026 Las Tres Hermanas: Institute Opera - Visual Director - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2026 TO CLIMB A TREE - 4-night event - Organizer - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2026 Through the Air: Collective Action to Summon Community - Teaching Assistant - LA Historic Park, Los Angeles, CA
2025 Earthlings' Garden: Class Showcase/Performance - David Horvitz Garden, Los Angeles, CA
Publications
2025 Visual Art Journal - Feature
2025 California Institute of the Arts - Interview
2025 UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts - CONNECT Spring 2025 - Arts & Identity
2024 ARTventure Artist Awards Catalogue - Feature
2024 ARTventure OC - Interview
Grants
2026 IDEA Inclusion Grant - Graduate Thesis - California Institute of the Arts, CA
2024 -26 John Baldessari Scholarship - California Institute of the Arts, CA
2024-26 Graduate Merit Scholarship - California Institute of the Arts, CA
WORK
2025-26 Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant - California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
2023-24 Elementary School Artist Educator - All the Arts for All the Kids Foundation - Fullerton, CA
2022-23 Gallery Assistant - Blossom Gallery - Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA
2021-22 Undergrad Teaching Assistant - University of California, Irvine
CERTIFICATIONS
2026 Mushroom and Fungus Foraging Certification - Wyldforest - Portland, OR