Biography
Born in January 1997, on Long Island, New York,
Brian Testa is an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose work spans a diverse range of mediums, disciplines, and themes, reflecting a deep commitment to art as a means of exploring personal narrative, collective memory, and community connection. His creative practice integrates studio-based and socially engaged approaches, often collaborating with schools, institutions, and international organizations to cultivate meaningful cultural dialogues.
Testa earned a Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Florida (2022) and a B.F.A. from Adelphi University (2019), and is currently pursuing a M.B.A. at the University of the People. His diverse academic foundation positions him at the intersection of creative practice, educational innovation, and leadership development.
His solo exhibitions include BRIAN TESTA (2024) at The Refki Gollopeni Gallery in Prishtina, Kosovo, which was praised for its introspective and transformative themes, and Where the Sky Begins (2025) at Kusa Studios in Oceanside, New York. The Prishtina exhibition featured abstract landscapes and marbling techniques that explored themes of memory and transformation, while the Oceanside exhibition combined plein air painting, abstract landscapes, and marbling to evoke a shifting sense of place and perception. An earlier solo work, Oil Spill Diptych, was exhibited at the University of Florida in 2021 and centered on large-scale marbling techniques, using fluid forms and immersive surfaces to examine environmental tension and material flow. Together, these exhibitions highlight his evolving conceptual explorations and global artistic reach.
Testa’s group exhibition record is extensive and international, including prestigious venues such as the Glass Drawers International Art Biennale (Warsaw, Poland, 2024), Gallery X at the Silesian University of Technology (Gliwice, Poland, 2024), and the 10th Annual Abstract Sanctuary at Verum Ultimum Art Gallery (Portland, Oregon, 2023). His works have appeared throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, showcasing his ability to transcend cultural boundaries through nuanced visual storytelling.
A hallmark of Testa's practice is community engagement through collaborative projects. He has led and participated in initiatives such as the Universe Mural (2023) at The Bronx High School for Medical Science, the M.L.K. Day Mural (2024) at Hempstead Town Hall, and Imagining Place: Mapping New Worlds (2024) in Kosovo. These projects are part of a larger dedication to using art as a tool for empowerment, education, and cross-cultural dialogue.
His public and private collections span across the U.S., Europe, and North Africa—including placements in Algeria, Slovenia, Belgium, and Kosovo. His work resides in local New York venues as well, such as No Rush Cafe and the Sparkle On Stage Cultural Arts Center in Freeport.
Testa’s efforts have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Art and Design Education Merit Award from Adelphi University (2019) and grants from the University of Florida (2020, 2021). His professional contributions also extend into curatorial work, editorial publishing, and media appearances, including multiple interviews on Radio Television Kosovo (RTK).
Through his dynamic roles as an artist, educator, curator, and collaborator, Brian Testa continues to challenge conventional boundaries, advancing the role of the arts in education, international collaboration, and civic engagement. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity in addressing social, cultural, and environmental change.