Eliezer (Ely) is originally from Venezuela but has resided in the United States since age six. After high school, he attended art school in Minneapolis but decided he was not ready for the institutionalized approach to art. After leaving the art world, Ely switched to a nursing program and quickly found he was missing what he truly loves - art. After he married, his wife (who is from Iowa), suggested he look into the University of Iowa’s renowned art program. He decided to take the leap and transferred to the University of Iowa to pursue his BFA in painting and obtain a teaching certificate.
Since attending the University, Ely has focused his work in mixed-media, large-scale pieces and on the collaborative process. Some of his experiences include, but are not limited to: painting two murals with New York City graffiti artist Lady Pink, painting a mural at 5 Pointz in New York City, painting a mural in downtown Iowa City, collaborating with fellow student artists, selling two paintings to the University of Iowa Main Library for a permanent exhibit, selling several pieces to private collectors,speaking about the collaborative artistic process at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and collaborating with the Cedar Rapids community on a mural at the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. These projects have inspired him to collaborate with schools and the community to promote public art.
