Saúl Alegría

at NIAD since 2007
A painting of a large red beetle with blue spots, seen from above.
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Rather than adhering to the realism of a reference book or photo, Saul often reformulates an image pulled from his memory. His practice is methodical—taking time, painting in layers, with a great usage of minimal color and space.

NIAD Facilitator Ocean Escalanti

Artist Bio

Saul Alegria (b. 1987) is a painter and sculptor based in the Bay Area. His works reimagine animals and insects in striking, electric shades of color. In some paintings, Alegria offers tender, carefully-studied portraits of his animal subjects. In other images he transforms inhabitants of the natural world into flattened, potent symbols. His sculptures are powerful composite forms that combine familiar creatures with icons from mythic quests in video games.

Alegria’s work has been curated into many shows at NIAD Art Center, and was also prominently featured in the landmark exhibition Into The Brightness at the Oakland Museum of California. In 2023, the OMCA acquired one of Alegria's paintings for their permanent collection. Saul Alegria has worked at NIAD Art Center in Richmond, CA since 2007.  

Exhibition Highlights
Saul Alegria
NIAD Art Center
2016
Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD
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Oakland Museum of California
May, 2023
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Feeling Language
organized by Kate Laster
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NIAD Gallery Exhibition
October, 2022
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A Not So Common Iguana and Other Tails
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NIAD Annex Gallery
October, 2022
View
Many Happy Returns
organized by Liam Golden and Bill Zindel
ODC Theater
April, 2022
Animalia
Sage Studio, Austin, TX
January, 2022
Lullaby
Andrew Rafacz Gallery Chicago
2017
Undercover Genuises
organized by Jan Moore
Petaluma Art Center
2013

Press Highlights
"Nurturing Independence through Artistic Development"
by Claire Milbrath, The Editorial Magazine
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July, 2020
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NIADZINE Issue One
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January, 2018
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Collections
Regional Center for the East Bay
San Leadro, CA
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
Oakland, CA
Saul Alegria hace que el color tenga efectos que no tiene para otros artistas. O para la Madre Naturaleza, en realidad. Los colores de Saul cantan. Es discretamente prolífico y se siente igualmente cómodo con la cerámica, los acrílicos, las tintas y las acuarelas. Las deliciosamente libres interpretaciones de Saul de los miembros de los reinos animal, vegetal y robótico tienen una presencia tranquilizadora, muy similar a la del propio artista. Saul Alegria nació en 1987 y reside en Richmond, California. Comenzó a hacer arte en el Centro de Arte NIAD poco después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria de Richmond en 2009.