Meet Juan Alberto Negroni | Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan Alberto Negroni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan Alberto, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think it grew up in me. My parents listened to a lot of music and my grandmother exposed me to poetry since I was a kid. I think making art was a reaction to those other disciplines. I also looked up to my big brother…he is a very quiet person and I remember watching him drawing pirate ships and robots. I thought he was the coolest and most talented artist. I wanted to be like him. At the same time I wanted to proof myself in a family of 6.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am not sure I am different from any other artist who do what they do because it completes them. I guess that the fact that I am true to myself, that I have tried to be independent and honest with my ideas and believes validate what I do. I am excited about not knowing whats going to happen with my practice. Having the benefit of having my own studio gives me the liberty of doing what I want when I want to. I do not have anyone looking over my shoulder to see if what I am doing is relevant or good or whatever people expect someones work to be…
This gives me peace and confidence.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Uffff…I am great with making plans and I am super organized but I am really bad at scheduling trips. And since the pandemic began I am not familiar with which places are open or not.

For sure I would take them on a gallery tour, I would take them to the Dallas Contemporary, I would take them to Single Wide on Lowest Greenville, take them to see my Alma Matter SMU’s campus. Maybe go see a Rangers game. And of course a road trip to MARFA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are way to many people I could acknowledge…Caroline my amazing wife accomplice and of course my family have been the best fans and support system.
Even when sometimes they did not completely understood what I was doing or what I am doing, they support me and my practice all the way.
I have had many great teaches, like Zilia Sanches, Orlando Salgado, Mary Vernon, Michael Corris, ( I wish I could mention all but they know who they are).
And like many, I have been discourage many times. Still I was taught to turn discouragement into the opposite. So I want to use this moment to publicly thank all those who on purpose or unintentionally tried to dispirit me at some point…(they also know who they are)

Website: www.juanalbertonegroni.com

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