About the artist
Nilton Cárdenas is a visual artist, educator, and community leader born in Lima, Peru, who has followed a remarkable academic and professional path, excelling in multiple disciplines. He studied at the prestigious San Martín de Porres University and nurtured his passion for painting at the renowned Institute Superior José Sabogal in Lima.
In 1993, his family moved to Miami, Florida, in search of new opportunities, and six years later they settled permanently in Providence, Rhode Island. During this period, Nilton studied art at the Community College of Rhode Island. In 2023, he reached a significant milestone by earning his bachelor’s degree in Organization, Leadership, and Change from College Unbound, broadening his experience and opening new possibilities for his future.
Nilton draws inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of his native Peru. His works deeply explore his emotional journey, unraveling the complexities of his past and the intricate connections between history, identity, and personal reflection. He has exhibited his artwork both individually and collectively in the United States and abroad, and his paintings are part of private and corporate collections.
Nilton also served on the board of Sol Gallery (1999-2004), an organization dedicated to promoting Latin art and culture, and on the Cranston Art Commission (2021-2023). For many years, he has developed his talent as an artist and art instructor for children, youth, and adults in the diverse Rhode Island community.
He currently works for the Providence Public School Department (PPSD) and collaborates in after-school programs and summer camps with various organizations that support art and culture in Providence and other cities, including Esperanza-Hope Organization, PASA (Providence After School Alliance), BVCAP (Blackstone Valley Community Action Program), VSA arts, Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary, West Elmwood Housing, and YMCA, among others.
Throughout his career, Nilton Cárdenas has garnered widespread recognition from Rhode Island city officials and state representatives, who have celebrated his artistic achievements, his unwavering dedication to community enrichment, and his inspirational role as a mentor to children, youth, and adults alike.
SOLO SHOW
2021
“Living in Memory/Viviendo en Memoria,”
The Foyer at United Way Providence, RI
2017
“Living in Memory/Viviendo en Memoria,”
Bridge Center at Johnson and Wales University, Providence, RI
2016
“Deeply / Profundamente,”
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, Pawtucket, RI
2015
“Deeply/Profundamente,”
Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, Massachusetts
2009
“Living in Memory/ Viviendo en Memoria,”
Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, Massachusetts
2008
“Living in Memory/ Viviendo en Memoria,”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
2007
“Living in Memory/ Viviendo en Memoria,”
Consulate General of Peru, Hartford, Connecticut
2006
“Living in Memory/ Viviendo en Memoria,”
Multicultural Center at Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
2005
“Constant Mystery/ Misterio Constante,”
BankRI Gallery, Providence, RI
2001
“Tierra Natal / Native Land,”
Multicultural Center at Johnson and Wales University, Providence, RI
1999
“Caminando entre Formas y Colores/ Walking between Shapes and Colors,”
Center City Gallery at the Arcade, Providence, RI
SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
“Diasporas”
Dominico Americano-Escuela de Arte y Pintura, Santo Domingo, RD
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibit”
URI North Kingston Campus Gallery, RI
“Diasporas”
Centro Cultural Perello Bani, Republica Dominicana
“NetWorks Rhode Island & the Chazan Collection”
Waterfire Art Center, RI
2023
“Lines of Feelings”
Central Cranston Library, Cranston, Rhode Island
“Andean Cultural Center of Rhode Island 30th Anniversary Art Exhibition.”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
2022
“La Ultima Cena”
Casa de la Cultura - Jarabacoa - Republica Dominicana
“La Ultima Cena”
Casa de la Cultura –Coronel Candido Bido Ventura Fard, Santo
Domingo, Republica Dominicana
“Latino Roots Art Exhibit”
The Pawtucket City Hall Gallery, RI
“La Ultima Cena”
Centro Cultural Perello, Bani, Republica Dominicana.
2021
“Jorge Cardenas: In Remembrance and Celebration”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
“Cranston Community Art Exhibit”
Central Cranston Library, Cranston, Rhode Island
2019
“Sol Revival,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
“Dialogo y Expresiones del Caribe y Latinoamérica,”
La Casa del alba Cultural, La Habana, Cuba
“Latino America es Arte”:
El Centro Cultural Mirador Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
“LatinXpression: the Absorbing Nature of Line,”
Public Affairs, Brown University, Providence, RI
2016
“The Affordable Art Fair,”
Chelsea, New York City
“Origins and Identity,”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
“Group Show,”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
2015
“Affordable Art Show,”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
“Latin American Art,”
Warwick Museum of Art, RI
2014
“Latin American Exhibition,”
Newport Art Museum– Coleman Center Studies Newport RI
“13th Annual State Latin American Art Exhibit”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
“Latin Exhibition,”
South Providence Library Gallery, Providence RI
2013
“Networks 2011-2012”
Newport Art Museum, Newport RI
“The Fabric of Our Community,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
2012
“The Art and Soul of Rhode Island,”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
2011
“The 2011 Networks Artists”
Candida Clayton Gallery, Providence RI
“Networks 2011 Artist Video World Premiere”
RISD Museum of Art, Chase Center, Providence RI
“Small Picture Show,”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
2010
“Dalla Collezione”
Gallery Z, Providence RI
“The Armenian Genocide Exhibition,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
2009
“Group Show,”
Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, Massachusetts
“Miracle Due, Gonna come True,”
The Courthouse for the Arts, North Kingstown, RI.
2008
“Multicultural Exhibit,”
Gail Cahalan Gallery, RI
2007
“Latino Expressions III,”
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Bldg., Manhattan, NY
2006
“Distortion,”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
“Latino Arts,”
Natty Gallery, Warwick, RI
“Latino Visual Art Exhibit”
New Haven, Connecticut
“Latin Show”
Jerry’s Art Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island
“Nostalgia / Memorias”
Venezuela Gallery, Consulate of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, New York
2005
“Latin American Exhibition,”
CCRI Campus Art Gallery, Warwick, RI
“Expo Alternative,”
City Art Gallery, Providence, RI
“Collective 2005”
Gallery Leadership Rhode Island, Providence, RI
“Conección Latina”
Adobe Gallery, Providence, RI
“Connecting the Dots/ Conectando Los Puntos,”
Sol Gallery, Providence, RI“Carnival,” URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
2004
“Latino Art Exhibit,”
Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, Massachusetts
“Hispanic Heritage Exhibition,”
City Hall Gallery, Providence, RI
“Art Competition and Exhibition,”
Warwick Museum of Art, RI
“A Celebration of Latino Art,”
Hunt-Cavanaugh Gallery, Providence College, RI
“Collective 2004”
City Arts Gallery, Providence, RI
2003
“Mosaicos,”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
“Globalization,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
“Creative Sol,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
“Latino Artists’ Exhibition,”
City Hall Gallery, Providence, RI
“Spring International Exhibition,”
Latin American Art Museum, Miami, Florida
“Conexiones a través del Tiempo/Connections through Time”
The Rhode Island Foundation Gallery, RI
“Latin American Artists’ Exhibition,”
CCRI, Flanagan Campus Art Gallery, Lincoln, RI
“Encuentro de Artistas de USA y España / La Ultima Cena”
Sala de Exposiciones Brossa, Barcelona, España
“Art Voyages,”
The De Blois Gallery, Newport, RI
2002
“The Last Supper/ La Ultima Cena,”
Downtown Gallery, Providence, RI
“The Last Picture Show,”
Sol Gallery, Providence, RI
“Latin American Visual Arts Expo,”
Atrium Gallery, State Department of Admin. Bldg., Providence, RI
“Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration,”
Latino Resource Group, Fleet Bank, Providence, RI
“Spheres/ Esferas,”
The Newport Art Museum, RI
“Windows to the Sol,”
URI Providence Campus Gallery, RI
2001
“Mixed Mediums,”
Windsor Gallery, Providence, RI
“Art Display,”
Public Library, Providence, RI
“Latin American Art Exhibit,”
The Latin American Cultural House, Pawtucket, RI
“Experience Latin American Art,”
The Tsetse Gallery, Providence, RI
2000
“Carta and Edge of the Map,”
The Rhode Island Foundation Gallery, Providence, RI
“Somos Latinos/We are Latinos,”
Artist from New England at Sol Gallery, Providence, RI
“Regional Artist Exhibit 2000”
Central Research Division Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut
“Shared Vision”
Joint Exhibition by Afro-American and Latino Artists from New England at Sol Gallery, Providence, RI
1999
“Raices Culturales del Arte Latino”
RI State Council on the Arts, Providence, RI
“Latino Art Exhibit,”
Project New Urban Arts, Providence, RI
“Exhibit of Latino Art,”
Center City Gallery at the Arcade, Providence, RI
“Latino Art Exhibit,”
Multicultural Center of the University of RI, North Kingstown, RI