El NiNo (Nino Alicea) is a Puerto Rican artist who isn't satisfied with static beauty; he’s driven by the necessity of public art that actively fosters connection and community. His work doesn't just hang on a wall; it becomes the new blueprint for a shared space.   His artistic journey began with a love for drawing and painting, nurtured by his supportive parents. After starting his education at the University of Puerto Rico, he pursued Graphic Design at Indiana University through the National Student Exchange Program. Relocating to Los Angeles opened the door to a vibrant and diverse artistic career, where he has produced shows, designed sets for stage, film, and commercials, and collaborated on world music tours.   NiNo creates art that demands attention and sparks conversation. His installations have earned global acclaim, including being named one of the TOP 100 commissioned art installations in the world by CODAworx in 2021. He is a builder of iconic, transformative projects: he conceived MÚCARO, inspired by the Puerto Rican Owl (Gymnasio nudipes), which earned the Honoraria Art Grant. This was followed by Atabey’s Treasure, his interpretation of “The Mother of Water” in Taino ancestral tradition. Most recently, his latest work, COQUÍ, the large structural sculpture of a native Puerto Rican tree frog, debuted to critical acclaim—winning Best of Show at the Tahoe Reno International Art Show and traveling across the country to places like the LA County Fair.   What truly matters to NiNo is the aftermath of the installation. What fulfills him is creating spaces that provoke thought and spark conversations—not for intellectual debate, but to move people toward action. He finds joy in witnessing people being stimulated and, even better, inspired to create, thrive, and dream big. This is the art of self-reliance, made visible and brought to life.

OUR DOCUMENTS

The collaboration between El NiNo and Community Through Colors is a shared vision rooted in a storm. The connection between the artist and the organization's leadership began through Burners Without Borders following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Both parties were driven by a singular, fierce desire to support the rebuilding efforts—a shared fire that quickly evolved into a powerful, family-like partnership. El NiNo’s drive perfectly matched CTC's mission: to use art to reflect the similarities between all humans, despite geographical or cultural location. NiNo’s powerful cultural narratives are amplified when they are placed on a global stage, inviting a diverse audience into the heart of Puerto Rican culture. NiNo always viewed art as a journey and a conversation, but his collaboration with CTC fundamentally changed his practice, pushing his work toward tangible resilience. He states that thanks to this partnership, all of his art installations are now solar powered. His goal to inspire and mentor future artists to dream big and to have the state of our planet in mind expands the network of conscious, capable creators. A Timeline of Collaboration: 2022-2023: Atabey's Treasure — An interactive, honoraria-awarded installation in the shape of a fish coming out from the ground. In honor of the goddess of freshwater native to the Taíno indigenous people of the Caribbean. The exterior will be oversized with a mouth opening at the top. 2024: COQUÍ — The monumental symbol of NiNo's homeland, a singing arboreal frog, inviting participants to fully immerse in the world of Puerto Rico's rainforest. It received the Burning Man Honoraria Grant and was a "Best of Show" winner at the Reno-Tahoe International Art Show. 2025: PITIRRE — A powerful and culturally resonant project conceived with JuandelPuebl0. The singing, “ridable” sculpture of Puerto Rico’s Gray Kingbird debuted at Burning Man as a vibrant embodiment of Puerto Rico's spirit, ready to connect with a diverse audience from all corners of the world.

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