Carlos Gallostra

Seeking to aesthetically capture the general spirit of people and places observed, Carlos Gallostra’s work does so with a notable sensitivity to light, color, and mark. Through his observations of the world and a technical mastery of the media, Gallostra aims to go beyond the basic reproduction of the subject and animate in it with a much richer, expressive voice. The execution across fine-line charcoal drawings and glowing oil media maintains an absolute clarity of form, utilizing a polished visual restraint to present evocative subjects. By prioritizing subtle suggestion, refined lighting textures, and technical control over aggressive presentation, the work addresses human presence and natural anatomy with immense intelligence—turning the canvas into a clean, timeless statement of order and grace.

• Academic Foundations: Born in Miami, Florida, in 1977 to Cuban parents. He began his advanced fine arts residency at the New World School of the Arts (NWSA) College, graduating as an alumnus with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with Honors. To expand his mastery over classical drawing techniques, art theory, and historical form, he relocated to New York to attend The Pratt Institute, completing a dual degree track to receive a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting alongside a Master of Science (MS) in Art History. He further refined his academic hand by executing post-graduate research across global training hubs, including the Romero-Hidalgo Studio in Miami, Fl, the Grand Central Academy in New York, NY, the Angel Academy and the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, and the Ryder Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
• Institutional Service & Parallel Disciplines: Prior to his advanced graduate degrees, Gallostra balanced his studio practice with prominent visual communication careers in broadcasting and design. Beginning in 1999, he worked as an animator and digital graphic designer for WSVN 7 News and Deco Drive in South Florida.
• Translocation & Relocations: As a member of the South Florida diaspora community, Gallostra has maintained a permanent domicile in Miami, Florida, while undertaking extensive, formative painterly residencies in key global cultural centers. These geographic movements include extended studio chapters in New York City (Brooklyn from 2003 to 2006, and Manhattan in the summer of 2012), rigorous technical development within historic ateliers in Florence, Italy, during the consecutive summers of 2013, 2014, and 2015, and immersive research at the Ryder Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2016.
• Current Status: He operates a highly active independent studio practice in Miami, Florida, continuously developing realist portrait and figurative works. Alongside his solo painting cycles, he acts as a premier visual arts educator and mentor, serving as an Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts and Art History at the University of Miami, Florida International University (FIU), and the New World School of the Arts, alongside directing specialty classes at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

• 2019–Present: Adjunct Professor of Art, Visual Arts Program – Studio Practice, University of Miami, Miami, FL.
• 2017–Present: Studio Workshop Instructor, Visual Arts Program – Studio Practice, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL.
• 2009–Present: Adjunct Professor of Art and Art History, Visual Arts Program – Studio Practice, Florida International University, Miami, FL.
• 2006–Present: Adjunct Professor of Art, Visual Arts Program – Studio Practice, New World School of the Arts (University of Florida / Miami-Dade College), Miami, FL.

• Fourth Wall: An ongoing investigation focused on trompe l’oeil works showcasing imagery breaking the fourth wall relationship between the artwork and the viewer.
• Vespers: A standalone concept portfolio of works focused on the act of gratitude.

This artist has participated in 1 solo exhibition:

• 2005: MFA Thesis: Behold, the Birth of Pop Baroque, Pratt Institute Exhibition Halls, Brooklyn, NY, USA.

This artist has participated in 20 collective exhibitions:

• 2026: Circular Reflections, Westchester Regional Library, Miami, FL, USA.
• 2025: Circular Reflections, St. Thomas University, Miami, FL, USA.
• 2025: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Coral Gables, FL
• 2024: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Wynwood, Miami, FL.
• 2023: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Wynwood, Miami, FL.
• 2022: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Wynwood, Miami, FL.
• 2021: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Wynwood, Miami, FL.
• 2021: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2019: Faculty Art Exhibition, University of Miami Art Galleries, Wynwood, Miami, FL.
• 2019: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2018: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2017: Single Fare, New York, NY.
• 2017: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2015: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2014: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2013: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2012: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2011: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2010: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2009: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2008: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2007: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.
• 2006: Faculty Art Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Galleries, Miami, FL.

• Portrait Society of America – 2019 Out of the Box Finalist
• Portrait Society of America – 2018 Non-Commission Finalist

• 2026: Catálogo: Reflexiones Circulares [Curaduría: Miguel Rodez]. InCUBAdora, March 24, 2026. https://www.in-cubadora.com/2026/03/24/catalogo-reflexionescirculares-curaduria-miguel-rodez/. This article (written in Spanish) provides a concise description of the Cuban contemporary art documentation project Circular Reflections and includes the full participating artist list.
• 2025: Rodez, Miguel. Circular Reflections: Cuban Art Documentation Project. Miami Gardens, FL: St. Thomas University Press, 2025. Permanent collection, Miami-Dade Public Library System, Fine Arts Archive. (A comprehensive catalog featuring information about the 63 initial participants in Circular Reflections, including an analysis of the artist’s work, biographical information and curriculum highlights).
• 2017: Barnes, Sara. “Artists Are Transforming Used NYC MetroCards into Miniature Works of Art.” My Modern Met (August 20, 2017): A media feature showcasing the artist's micro-scale representational painting technique on unconventional urban substrates during the Single Fare 4 exhibition.
• 2016: CBS Miami Team. “Mentoring Matters: Art Takes Local Teen To The Next Level.” CBS Miami News (October 10, 2016): A broadcast and digital profile evaluating his studio pedagogy, technical mentorship, and guidance of awardwinning portfolio development at the New World School of the Arts. 2016: Hagler, Aaron Morris. “Poets & Artists Magazine: La Familia Edition.” Poets & Artists, Issue 66 (August 2016). A curated portfolio review examining his figurative oil paintings and drawing styles through the lens of domestic narratives and structural heritage.
• 2015: The Art Career Project. “15 Noteworthy Art Professors in Miami.” The Art Career Project, March 2015. A regional survey ranking prominent studio practice educators based on academic excellence, technical execution, and institutional instruction.

The original creations, large-format canvases, and technical portfolios of the artist are permanently preserved within the following public, academic, and private registries:

• The Pratt Institute Master Artist Archive (Brooklyn, New York, USA).
• Florida International University Collection Registries (Miami, Florida, USA).