Nate Reilly

I am a 2023 Cornell graduate, and I have pursued both my passion for art and my interest in public policy. While I have always felt a strong connection to the world of painting and design, my explorations into public art have especially captured my imagination and inspired me to explore the intersection of art and community. With my educational background in public policy, I am well-equipped to support other artists' visions through public art projects, and I am excited to continue learning and growing in this field. My studio painting experience has worked to showcase my ability to blend popular culture icons and events with my own unique perspective and commentary. My work is both imaginative and thought-provoking, as you reimagine the lives of well-known characters, such as the Staypuft Marshmallow man, and create scenes that are feel both familiar and unexpected. Although lighthearted, my paintings work to reflect a deep engagement with contemporary society, as I explore themes such as the impact of COVID-19 on academia and the dynamic of the rivalry between basketball legends. By embedding societal commentary within recognizable settings and characters, I create works that are accessible and engaging for a wide audience. My passion for art and my ability to connect with broad audiences led me to explore the exciting world of public art. As I have discovered, public art offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with a much different and more unexpecting audience, and to create works that are rooted in the local community. My community-engaged murals have showcased my ability to work collaboratively and to create works that are both visually stunning and socially impactful. I have also expanded my reach by taking on private mural projects in international locations, but my true passion lies in creating public art that celebrates the community and inspires young artists. I also possess a diverse range of administrative and industry experiences that have been integral to my artistic development. These include interning at Art Services Inc., in Buffalo during the onset of the pandemic, where I organized safe and accessible arts events in the community. Additionally, I fundraised and solicited donations in Menlo Park, CA for 170 students to paint a community engaged mural, gained experience in donor relations and professional artist relations at Washington Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and completed an apprenticeship in Minneapolis, MN, under the guidance of the former president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. During the apprenticeship, I met with over 20 public artists and administrators to learn about the industry and how to effectively engage the community in community-engaged projects. These experiences have equipped me with the necessary skills to execute high-quality public art projects and navigate the project process with ease. My work has allowed me to explore and respond to the things I have felt most influenced by during my upbringing, while also engaging with communities to create public art that highlights their proudest aspects. From my administrative work promoting accessible and safe arts events during COVID-19, to fundraising for a student mural project in California, to my apprenticeship with public art administrators in Minnesota, I have gained valuable skills and insights that will enable me to execute public art projects of the highest quality while engaging with the community in meaningful ways.