Website: https://briantesta.com/ @artisttesta Brian Testa is a New York-based, American artist and art educator. He is recognized for his community art-making, and was awarded special congressional recognition in 2014. Testa was born in Queens, New York. He currently lives on Long Island, where he maintains an active studio and online storefront. Testa is enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Florida, where he is pursuing his master's in Art Education. Testa earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art & Design Education, with a focus on S.T.E.A.M. from Adelphi University. He also received his Associate of Arts in Art Studies from Nassau Community College. His original artwork can be found in private collections and as reproductions on merchandise. His work is informed and inspired by his experiences, teaching practice, and community art-making. His recent creative process results in the creation of Mixed Reality and Plein Air Paintings. Mixed Reality (XR) paintings explore the intersection between the digital world and the real world. The viewer can immerse themselves into this new reality combining traditional art form with digital techniques. The result is a merging of three perspectives, that of the viewer, that of the artist, and that of the computer. In addition to creating work as a solo artist, Testa is a teaching artist for ArtsAction Group, an international community-based collective committed to facilitating arts initiatives with children and youth in conflict-affected environments. He is also a STEAM & Art Educator for the Liberty Partnership Program at Adelphi University. By exploring problem-solving-creativity, students improve their abilities to achieve higher learning standards. Testa is the Founder of Long Islanders For Environmental Change, a grassroots collective committed to environmental activism, policy change, and community outreach. LIFEC has participated in several peaceful demonstrations, beginning in 2014 with the People's Climate March; the largest climate march in history.