A visionary artist and educator, José Manuel Cruz brings vibrant cultural storytelling to life through color, movement, and emotion. As the founder of cruzwearSTUDIOS, Cruz bridges fine art and graphic design, offering what he calls “the renaissance tool to contemporary creativity.” His mastery spans mediums—oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, airbrushing, and digital design—creating works that pulse with heritage and heart.
Born in Newark, New Jersey to Puerto Rican and Colombian parents, Cruz draws deeply from his Afro-Latino roots. His art celebrates identity, memory, and resilience. A graduate of New Jersey City University (Summa Cum Laude, B.A. Fine Arts), Cruz’s journey from substitute teaching in Newark to exhibiting in major galleries reflects a lifelong commitment to creativity and community.
His works have been featured in institutions such as the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, NCCU Art Museum, and the Triangle Cultural Art Gallery, among others. Each brushstroke serves as both personal reflection and cultural celebration—an invitation to see beauty as a form of resistance and joy as a radical act.
“I draw inspiration from the stories of people I encounter…each brushstroke a tribute to the enduring resilience snd beauty of Afro-Latino culture,” Cruz says. “My work is a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend boundaries and foster understanding.”