Relief, Recovery, Resilience 

Vieques, Puerto Rico

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El NiNo “Public art projects,
like those I’ve had the privilege to work on with CTC,
play a vital role in enhancing the well-being and vitality of a community.”
El NiNo

about the artist

PUERTO RICAN ARTIST TO BRING AN ART INSTALLATION TO BURNING MAN
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“For me, creating art that resonates means deeply
understanding the stories, culture,
and spirit of the people and place it inhabits”
Nino Alicea
Leave it to Nino

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.

THE COMMUNITY THROUGH COLORS

COLLABORATION

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.

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.

HONORARIA GRANTS AWARDED
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“This journey has been one of growth, collaboration, and endless discovery, and I feel honored to share it with those who encounter my work.”
COMMUNITY

THE FOUNDATION

OF RESILIENCE

CONNECT
EMPOWER
INSPIRE
“Through our collaboration with CTC, we continue to expand and connect our networks, fostering relationships that support the success of both our teams and the community. Together, we build stronger foundations for lasting positive change.”
DISCOVERING

COMMUNITY

Stronger, Together

For El NiNo, community is the foundation of resilience. He understands that a strong, supportive network isn't a luxury; it's essential to bring ideas to life. He has learned throughout his artistic journey that we are all far stronger and wiser when we come together as a team, and that same principle is precisely why CTC chooses to support artists: because it takes a village to reclaim hope and connect people from all walks of life.

Local History and Heritage Become the Art

NiNo views art as storytelling, a tradition that stretches back through history—the ultimate record of our shared human experience. But, for his public works to resonate, he insists on deeply understanding the stories, culture, and spirit of the people and place it inhabits. This is how culture and community intertwine: the local history and heritage become the art.

Connect, Empower, Inspire

Public art installations and community workshops hold immense value because they transform shared spaces into vibrant hubs of connection and creativity. Public art is accessible and inspiring, but the workshops are where the true, lasting impact occurs. They empower individuals to find their own voices, fostering collaboration and a powerful sense of ownership over their environment. Together, they build stronger, more inclusive communities where creativity sparks dialogue, pride, and the lasting impact of self-determination.

His work and collaborative projects with CTC stand as a symbol of wisdom and connection to nature, reflecting the island’s rich heritage and environment. NiNo takes in the history, values, and daily life of the communities where his art is to be placed, and the art becomes a meaningful part of the community’s identity, inviting engagement, pride, and reflection.

“Organizations like CTC are essential because they bring art directly into communities, fostering connection, creativity, and pride. Their work supports artists and amplifies local voices, making culture accessible and meaningful for everyone.”

NINO ALICEA
THE COMMUNITY THROUGH COLORS

IMPACT

How does a solar-powered frog change a neighborhood? The impact is immense and deeply personal. Public art projects, like the ones NiNo has created with CTC, play a vital role in enhancing the well-being and vitality of a community. By weaving culture, history, and creativity into public spaces, these projects activate environments, spark conversations, and help build a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

NiNo doesn't just create art; he creates blueprints for collective care. His primary message—inspiring and mentoring other future artists to dream big and to have the state of our planet in mind—is the perfect extension of our mission. It’s a mission that says: we will not wait to be saved. We will connect our networks, amplify our local voices, and build the tools to save ourselves, one mural, one farm bed, one solar-powered sculpture at a time.

According to NiNo, what makes CTC unique is this genuine focus on community and collaboration; we listen, we empower, and we build projects that truly reflect the people we serve. Organizations like CTC are essential because we bring this kind of art and this kind of unapologetic community-first purpose directly to the people.