Daniel Cascardo

Engaging Communities in His Art Action Experience

By Sara E. Teller

DANIEL CASCARDO HAS BEEN AN ARTIST FOR OVER 30 YEARS. AFTER ATTENDING THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES IN DETROIT, HE MOVED TO CHICAGO AND WORKED IN THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY WHILE DEVELOPING HIS STYLE AS A FINE ARTIST.

THEN CASCARDO MOVED BACK TO MICHIGAN, settled in Huntington Woods, and began leaving his mark on Metro Detroit.

“I had done several outdoor murals at the time and for some reason was labeled a street artist,” Cascardo recalled. “It seemed to be the beginning of the street art movement, with more and more artists making their mark in public spaces.” According to his web site, however, Cascardo coins himself as a visual artist who “creates abstract paintings that combine elements from primitive cultures with Euro sophistication.”

In 2012, Cascardo Art & Design LLC was born in an effort to both promote his artwork and begin engaging communities in a unique interactive art making process called the Cascardo Art Action Experience. During such an experience, Cascardo brings to life an artistic outline to be filled in by others with color, ultimately creating a vibrant, large-scale masterpiece. These outlines are often painted on canvases. However, Cascardo has also used other backdrops, including wood, drywall and even a colossal fishing lure for his piece “Hooked on Michigan.” He’s also designed murals inside restaurants and other businesses.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION, Cascardo’s Art Action Experience’s customers have ranged widely from non-profits, corporations, communities, or anyone just wanting a fun interactive activity for guests at a special event. Cascardo has provided pieces for both indoor and outdoor events, large and small.

“I like creating art from my imagination, looking at and interpreting my experiences in abstract and representational imagery,” he said. “I’m inspired by the creative process and the work of artists like Miro, Kandinsky and Picasso.” These influences are evident in Cascardo’s creations, which tend to include cubism and abstract imagery.

Cascardo brought to life an imaginative piece he said represents the “energy, color, creativity and life found in the Berkley community” for Street Art Fest. Residents took a moment to stop by and pick up a paintbrush, together filling in a black-and-white canvas. The colorful result is now on display at the Library.

“It is meant to engage your imagination and curiosity,” said Cascardo, who sometimes generates these outlines in the moment, without any pre-planning. Other times, he begins with a thought and a purpose, and fills in the blanks from there. Cascardo characterizes his artistic technique as “spontaneous with an intuitiveness that surrenders to the process.”

THIS FALL AND WINTER, the artist plans to do similar interactive pieces for the University of Detroit Mercy, Eastern Market After Dark and a private event in September, in addition to other slated projects and any others to come.

He said, “My work is available on my web site (www.danielcascardo.com) in the categories of abstract black and white paintings, mixed media, color and public art.” He also has an online store with pieces available for purchase in multiple categories, including canvases, posters and framed prints, acrylic designs and more. Cascardo even has iPhone cases, tapestries and greeting cards available for sale.

He added, “I continue to explore other avenues to engage people with my work including licensing my designs for apparel, home goods and accessories.”

CASCARDO AND HIS FAMILY LOVE THE BERKLEY COMMUNITY. His three daughters attended Berkley High School, and Cascardo and his wife, Nora, frequent many of the to-dos around town.

“We love the hometown feel with a creative edge of Berkley,” he said. “We love the restaur-ants, shops, library and all the fun activities. I am a member of the Berkley Chamber of Commerce and always have an eye out for possible studio space.” In general, Cascardo said he loves all things “art, food and culture.”

While he has received many awards over the years for his creations, Cascardo says, “My most honorable achievement is directly from the thousands of people who have been inspired and engaged by my work.” He added that his mission is to “always stay true to my creative voice with a social consciousness and ambition to use my work for a positive impact on the world.”

Cascardo’s works are currently on display at more than 30 corporate and public institutions, including Meritor Inc., Henry Ford Health Systems, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburg, Wayne State University, University of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy, Dearborn Automotive Hall of Fame, St. Barbara Catholic Church, Christ Church Cranbrook, Genisys Credit Union and the City of Royal Oak, Michigan. He has spoken at two TEDx Detroit events, at which he has also brought to life his outlines on stage, and he continues to expand his reach.

For more information or to commission a work of art, visit danielcascardo.com, call 248.885.0028 or dac@danielcascardo.com. Each experience is priced custom to the event. Cascardo’s mural for the Berkley Street Art Fest is featured on the cover of this book.