Toni Miraldi

Bio

Though I currently make my home in the forested community of Newtown, CT, my background extends far beyond New England. I have lived in 10 states and have traveled extensively, gathering experiences and perspectives that ultimately influence my art. My diverse interests have also led me down a variety of professional paths. I studied history, art and literature at Wheaton College, where I earned a BA in history. I then received further studio art instruction at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, while simultaneously working in the interior design industry. Later I left a career in e-commerce operations and graphic design to pursue art and mural painting full-time, launching Mural Envy, LLC, in January, 2016. Since re-entering the art world, I have exhibited in three solo shows and one group show organized by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. In October 2018, I was awarded the REGI Grant by the CT Office of the Arts for my HOPE Mural Project benefitting The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury. My murals, paintings and prints can be found in private and commercial collections across the United States.

Artist Statement

As an artist, designer and muralist, my mission is to transform overlooked spaces into areas of interest, inspiration and beauty. I am motivated by the belief that since we are subtly influenced by our environs, we should surround ourselves and our communities with small positive messages—through art, nature, architecture or kind words—to help combat feelings of suspicion, fear and despair.

Most of my artistic inspiration comes from the natural world. I love the balance of opposing forces found in nature: fragile and strong, beautiful and gruesome, independent from human influence and also sculpted by it. Timeless yet disappearing rapidly. I hope to remind viewers of the beauty around us that we are often too distracted to notice.

Stylistically, my background in graphic design and interior design are the filters through which I approach my subjects. The skills I honed in my professional life—attention to detail, efficiency, and economy—now influence my art. When I begin planning a new work, I start with something familiar and put it through a series of refinements until it is reduced to a collection of simplified shapes and colors. The resulting image is a stylization of the original, a different but recognizable form, which allows viewers to approach the familiar in a fresh way.

C.V.

Murals and Paintings in Commercial Spaces
Amazon Fulfillment Center, 200 Old Iron Ore Rd, Windsor, CT
The Center for Empowerment and Education, Danbury, CT
Dell’Aria Cafe, 232 E 111th St, New York, NY
SONO Sky Bar, 45 S Main St, Norwalk, CT
Urban Lodge Brewing Company, 47 Purnell Pl, Manchester, CT
Empire of the Incas, 241 Main St, Danbury, CT
CARite of Stratford, 2095 Barnum Ave, Stratford, CT
Indeed, Inc., 4 Stamford Plaza, 107 Elm Street, Stamford, CT
Allora Coffee & Bites, 515 West Ave, Norwalk, CT
Mecanex USA, 119 White Oak Dr, Berlin, CT
Sugar Plum Parties, 877 Post Rd E floor 2 suite 2, Westport, CT
Love & Caring Home Care Agency, 505 Wolcott St, Waterbury, CT
Blue Sky Wellness Center, 6515 Main St, Trumbull, CT
El Coyote Restaurant, 35 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT
The Westchester Diner, 300 Albany Post Rd, Peekskill, NY
Hodge Insurance Agency, 283 Main St, Danbury, CT
Hancock Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 31 Staples St, Danbury, CT
The Pleasantville Diner, 10 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville, NY
Merryhill Child Care Center, 49 Queen St, Newtown, CT

Murals in Public Spaces
Saxe Middle School, 468 South Ave, New Canaan, CT
Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd, Sandy Hook, CT
Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School, 189 Fort Hill Rd, Groton, CT
Post Office Walk, Danbury, CT
Traffic Utility Boxes, Main Street (2) and White Street (1), Danbury, CT
Cyrenius H Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown, CT
Dr MLK Jr Avenue, Memphis, TN

Murals, Paintings and Prints in Private Collections
Across the United States

Recent Exhibits
October 2018-March 2019: HOPE Mural, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT
July-September 2018: Accessible Art Project solo exhibition, City Hall, Danbury, CT
July-August 2017: Accessible Art Project solo exhibition, Hancock Hall, Danbury, CT
May-August 2017: EndWorks group exhibition, @287 Gallery, Danbury, CT
February-March 2017: Accessible Art Project solo exhibition, Hodge Insurance Agency, Danbury, CT

Background

1992-1996: BA in History, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
1997-2001: Worked in the Interior Design industry, Richmond, VA
1998-2002: Studied Studio Art, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
2001-2003: Studio Assistant for Brazier Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
2003: Started a family
2005-2016: Free-lance small business operations and e-commerce development
2016-present: Artist and president of Mural Envy, LLC