Daniel Cascardo creates art to engage, entertain, and resonate with a diverse audience

When artist Daniel Cascardo attended HFC (then called Henry Ford Community College), he honed his artistic skills and learned the business side of being an artist.

“I was exposed to a broad range of subjects. I studied business, culinary arts, and fine arts at the College. HFC exposed me to various artists, materials, and techniques. I created my portfolio for admission to the College of Creative Studies, thanks to my time at HFC,” said Cascardo.

Cascardo’s preferred medium is acrylic and he describes his style as abstract, representational, and contemporary. His exhibit – “Daniel Cascardo: Vision of Reality, An Artist’s Perspective” – is on display at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center in Birmingham until Thursday, September 19.

“The show is a compilation of pieces that are meant to engage people to use their imagination and come up with their own interpretation of the work,” he explained. “This is an expression of the style of work that I do. The pieces are the result of the energy that transfers between my intuition, life experiences, interaction with groups of people, and my artistic process.”

Art runs in the Cascardo family

Cascardo was born in Dearborn and is the third of five children. He lives in Huntington Woods with Nora, his wife of 33 years. They have three adult daughters. His eldest is an artist, animator, and motion graphics and video designer at Ford Motor Co.. His father was a clay modeler and truck designer at Ford.

“Art runs in the family, you could say,” said Cascardo.

A graduate of Fordson High School, Cascardo completed coursework at HFC and CCS.

“I went to HFC because I wasn't sure about my major. It was close to home, very affordable, and offered a broad range of classes,” he said. “I was involved in many art activities and ran the campus restaurant (the precursor to Fifty-One O One) while taking culinary classes at the College.”

Cascardo was influenced by three HFC instructors: Hope Palmer, the late Robert Cadez, and the late Gwaine Dart. His time at HFC cemented his desire to make art his career.

“During a trip to New York City with Mr. Cadez, we students were exposed to the work of (pop artist) Roy Lichtenstein at the Guggenheim Museum,” he said. “Taking in the galleries, museums, and sights and sounds of New York City during the early 1980s inspired me to become an artist.”

Bringing beauty and thought-provoking art to the world

A professional artist for more than 40 years, Cascardo says his artwork can be found in homes, businesses, and communities. It has also been displayed in a number of exhibitions. He has worked in advertising and animation, and has taught art at workshops and to adults and learners with disabilities.

His next exhibition is an interactive art installation at the 2024 Momentum Festival in Toledo, OH September 20-22. Afterward, he will have a one-person exhibition at the Artworks Gallery in Big Rapids from September 30 through November 8.

“I enjoy being able to pursue my passion while engaging and inspiring people with my art,” said Cascardo. “I have been blessed to have a career that brings beauty, inspiration, and thought-provoking art to the world. I hope that my work will continue to engage, entertain, and resonate with people from all walks of life.”