About the Artist

 

Born August 1946, Brownsille, PA

Michael Santini’s artwork is an allegorical portrayal of the constant spiritual and worldly struggle of good versus evil. Subtle and profound symbolism, through inspiration from the Bible, depicts this concept. As in reality, the elements and characters in my work exist within a constant, yet ever changing boundary, rearranging themselves in each new piece. This is a framework of juxtapositions where repetition and position continuously respond and evaluate the essence of life. Aspects of contemplation, choice and accountability or political and religious strife are consistent themes. Other compositions struggle with our proclivity to sin and the encroachment of legalism. The resolutions of these conflicts are found in the absolute love, hope and assurance he finds in Jesus Christ.

“The elements and characters in my work exist within a constant yet ever-changing boundary”

MICHAEL SANTINI

Biography

Born: Brownsville, Pennsylvania August 18, 1946

Tucson, AZ resident June, 1976 to May, 2000

Mequon, WI resident May, 2000 to current

PUBLICATIONS:

1985 Illustration for Jose Marti’s “THE GOLDEN AGE” Translated by M. E. Hart & M. Maranda of Milos, Inc., Miami, FL

1987 Publication rights to reproduce eight paintings as cover art for the Arizona Daily Star,Tucson AZ

2005 Book Frontispiece illustration for “House Of Many Faces” Author Tina Gatzionis 2003 Poster design commissioned by the Tucson Arts Council
2007 Commissioned to do the cover for the Boston Wine Expo Magazine

2016  “Artabetic” A book of contemporary international artist biographies that have exhibited in France

2017  PBS Milwaukee Television interview for the Grohmann Museum Exhibition

EXHIBITS:

1968 Salem College, Salem, WV (solo show)
1972 Mansfield State College, Mansfield, PA (solo show)
1974 Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA (solo show)
1975 Americans Painters In Paris, Paris, France
1976 George Kisker Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
1978 Joy Tash Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
1985 Lumina Gallery, Soho, New York, NY
1986 Rosequist Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1988 Elenor Jeck Gallery, Tucson, AZ
1995 Tucson Men’s Club, Tucson, AZ
1996 Art Forms Gallery, Lewisburg, PA
1997 Many Goats Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2000 Elenor Jeck Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2001 The Red Door Gallery, Tubac, AZ
2002 Artpost Gallery, Grafton, WI
2003 The Art Escape Gallery, Thiensville, WI
2004 The Art Escape Gallery Thiensville, WI
2005 Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI (solo show) 2006 Art Post Gallery, Grafton, WI (invitational show)
2007 Paul Alexander Gallery, Framingham, MA (solo show) 2007 Micro Museum Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (solo show)
2007 Art Post Gallery, Grafton, WI
2007 Garibaldi- Meucci Museum, Staten Island, NY (solo show)

2008 Paul Alexander Gallery, Framingham, MA (group show) 2008 Icoasahedron Gallery, Tribeca, NY (group show)

2008 Gallery XIV, Boston, MA (group show, featured artist) 2008 CAG Show, Cedarburg WI (award of excellence)

2009 Gallery 2622, Wauwatosa, WI (solo show)
2010 Cedarburg Cultural Center Show, Cedarburg, WI
2011 K Allen Gallery, Door County, WI
2013 The Sadler Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2014 Oconomowoc Art Center, Oconomowoc, WI ( solo show) 2017 The Grohmann Museum, Milwaukee, WI (group show) 2017 Cedarburg Art Museum, Cedarburg,WI (solo show) 2018 Idea Gallery, Egg Harbor, WI (featured artist)
2018 The Boys are Back Show, Cedarburg Cultural Center

GALLERIES:

1989 -1990 The Will Stone Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1997 -1999 Art Avenue Gallery, Cleveland, OH
1997 -1999 Rosso & Russ Gallery, Tubac, AZ

1998 – 1999 – 2001 – 2000 – 2002 – 2003 – 2004 – 2005 – 2005 – 2006 – 2006 – 2008 – 2009 – 2010 – 2011 – 2014 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020 – 2021 – 2022 –

2000 Elenor Jeck Gallery, Tucson, AZ 2001 The Red Door Gallery, Tubac, AZ 2002 The Doom Gallery, Tubac, AZ
2002 The Gruen Gallery, Chicago, IL
2004 The Vanier Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2004 The Bohlin Gallery, Mineral Point, WI 2005 Art Escape Gallery, Thiensville, WI 2007 The Gruen Gallery, Chicago, IL

2005 Bell Lei Salon, Cedarburg WI
2009 The Paul Alexander Gallery, Framingham, MA 2008 Elysee Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2011 Gallery XIV, Boston, MA
2012 Jay Kay Gallery, Carrouge, Switzerland
2012 K Allen Gallery, Door County, WI
2013 Sadler Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2015 The Seebeck Gallery, Racine, WI

The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI The Idea Gallery, Jacksonport, WI

JURORED SHOWS:

2001 Annual Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI (award of merit) 2002 Annual Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI

2002 Milwaukee Lakefront Art Festival, Milwaukee, WI
2003 Annual Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI
2003 Animal Images Show, Chicago, IL (Honorable Mention)
2005 Art Post Gallery Grafton, WI (award of merit)
2006 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI (won one of top 10 awards)
2006 Circus Surreal Show Micro Museum Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (best of show)
2006 Strange Cities Show Gallery 27, New York, New York
2007 Art Post Gallery, Grafton, WI (award of merit)
2007 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI
2007 Annual Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI
2008 Annual Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI (award of excellence) 2008 Cedarburg Cultural Center Miniature Show, Cedarburg, WI
2008 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI
2009 Cedarburg Cultural Center Miniature show, Cedarburg, WI (best of show)
2009 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI (honorable mention)
2009 Jay Kay Gallery International Show, Carrouge, Switerland
2009 Gallery XIV, Framingham, MA
2010 John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kohler, WI (2nd place award)
2010 Cedarburg Cultural Center Miniature Show, Cedarburg, WI
2010 Charles Allis Museum Art Exhibition, Milwaukee,WI
2010 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI (honorable mention)
2011 Center of Visual Arts Midwest Season Show, Wausau, WI (award of excellence) 2011 Cedarburg Cultural Center Miniature Show, Cedarburg, WI (best of show)
2011 Plymouth Art Center Alive in the Arts Show, Plymouth, WI (best of show)
2011 Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI
2011 Center of Visual Arts, Wausau, WI (won invitation for a 7 artist group show)

2012  Wee Gallery of Fine Art Scottsdale, AZ International Exhibit (award of merit)

2013  The Plymouth Art Center, Plymouth,WI

2013 26th Northern National Art Competition Rhinelander, WI Nicolet College

2013  Icon – Spirit of Art Art Mill, Grafton, WI

2014  27th Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, WI Nicolet College

2014 Cedarburg Artist Guild Show, Cedarburg, WI (1st place blue ribbon award)

2014  MOWA Museum exhibit, West Bend,WI

2015  28th Northern National Art Competition, Rhinelander, WI Nicolet College

2015 30th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, Chelsea, NY (award of excellence)

2015  Main Street Gallery CCC, Cedarburg, WI

2016  The Little Show CCC, Cedarburg, WI (best of show)

2017  Plymouth Art Center Alive in the Arts show, Plymouth, WI

2018  2nd Annual National Exhibition, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art

2019  7th Annual Members Show, CCC Cedarburg, WI

2019  Main Street Gallery CCC, Cedarburg, WI

2020  The District Art Gallery, National Art Competition, Frederick, MD

2021  The District Art Gallery, National Art Competition, Frederick, MD

2022 Annual Members Show, CCC Cedarburg, WI
2022 The Big Exhibit 2022 Show, The Arts Mill, Grafton, WI (best of show)

2022 Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum’s 2022 Birds in Art exhibition

TRAINING & EDUCATION:

1964 – 1968 Bachelor of Arts, Salem College,WV
1968 – 1976 Educator at Shikellamy School District, Sunbury, PA
1976 – 1992 Master Pattern Maker & Designer of Architectural Details, Tucson, AZ 1992 – 1997 Owner of APRI maker of architectural precast and GFRC Tucson,AZ 1995 – 1997 Larson Company designed & fabricated habitats for zoo’s aquariums and various businesses

SPECIAL ART CATEGORY:

2002 Invited to create a violin for the 1st annual “Art of Music” fundraising auction for the Tucson Symphony

2004  Commissioned to create a painting to be used for the house wine label for the Terra Cotta Restaurant in Tucson,AZ

2005  Invited to create a 2nd violin for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra fundraising auction the “Art of Music”

2006  Commissioned a painting for the Terra Cotta Restaurant for their in house wine label

2006 Created a poster for the 1st Tucson Wine & Food Festival.

2018 PBS Milwaukee Television Interview