José Manuel Cruz- COLORICAN: A Retrospective Exhibit Opens at NCCU With Reception Aug. 11

Durham, NC – The North Carolina Central University Art Museum inaugurates its new exhibition season by welcoming artist, teacher, and entrepreneur José Manuel Cruz. COLORICAN: A Retrospective consisting of 40 works of various media by José and is a collective of Cruz’s work that embodies all of his experiences from growing up in the city of Newark, NJ till the present. This exhibition, from August 11th through October 11th,  displays the many facets of Cruz’s career as an artist. His work lends itself to his life as a graffiti artist and the use of the spray can to learning techniques in airbrushing, and his early pen and ink rapidograph drawings in the third grade to enamel marker drawings today. An Opening Reception will take place on August 11th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Cruz was born on April 13, 1966, in Newark, New Jersey. COLORICAN, a term coined by the Artist, reflects his identity as an individual born of a Colombian mother, a Puerto Rican father and being born in the United States of America. Cruz has four brothers and one sister. He is married to Dawn Lyerly-Cruz and has two daughters, Ariana, 23 and Alana, 19.     

Cruz attended the Newark Public School System.  During his elementary school year, he attended the Newark School of Industrial Arts Saturday Art Program for four years. In 1984 he graduated from Arts High School with honors in Art. He earned his Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts degree in 1996, graduating Summa Cum Laude from New Jersey City University. Cruz began substitute teaching in the Newark Public School System in 1986. That inspired him to pursue a career as an Art Educator. In 1998 he became a certified teacher in Art.

For 42 years Cruz has exhibited his works in the United States and abroad. His career as an exhibitionist began at the Newark Museum’s Elementary Art Exhibits and continues to this day with his most recent works being featured in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Cruz’s works were also included in the Colores exhibition in 2012 at North Carolina Central University Art Museum. Colores was a group exhibition that included works by 10 different Latino artists in observance of Latino Heritage Month.           

Cruz’s influence as an artist is attributed to others which include Professor Bernard, Eleta Caldwell, Mr. K, Russell Muray, Ben Jones, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Miro, Caldor, Peter Max, Gustav Klimt, Britto, and many others. His works can be found in prominent places, including the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. His works can also be found in the homes of celebrities, including Wendy Williams, Blair Underwood, Tony Braxton, Paul Mooney, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown, to name a few.         

The North Carolina Central University Art Museum is located at 580 East Lawson Street across from the Farrison-Newton Communications Building. North Carolina Central University Art Museum is accessible for all physically challenged persons. For general information or assistance, please call 530-6211. For group visits, please call in advance. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

For more information, visit http://www.nccu.edu/artmuseum