Pete "CastroART" Castro
“Great rhythm, and I love your use of color…CastroART is an up and coming sensation" says world renowned famous artist and the Godfather of urban art Mr Justin Bua
“His art is incredible" says world renowned famous rockstar of the art world Michael Godard
“Truly a God given gift of artistic expression at it’s pinnacle” proclaims Grammy award winning artist of the iconic RnB group Wanya’ Morris of Boyz II Men
“Pete, you’re a master..” says world renowned artist, American professional dancer Benji Schwimmer
Pete Castro who uses the moniker “CastroART” is a Las Vegas locally renowned American urban artist / muralist / and illustrator with some epic moments during his 12 year art career. From being commissioned to create a 4 panel painting for the recording studio of Boyz II Men, to being commissioned by the NFL Raiders, Pete has made a name for himself.
Pete grew up in the Bronx New York where his art influence began. At the age of 5, he learned about street art murals by seeing graffiti art all over New York subway trains. As a kid, he also learned about landscapes from watching Bob Ross on TV. During his childhood, Pete was inspired by the animation inside his comic book collection . His creative muse was further sparked during his teens when he discovered the works of surrealist artist of the past, Salvador Dali and later the artworks of contemporary urban artist of the present day Justin Bua.
Castro is formally trained in comic book illustration concepts, and human anatomy illustation by world renowned comic book pro, editor, artist, writer, and producer Brian Haberlin.
Adorning the walls throughout the Las Vegas Valley, with his commissioned street art style mural installations, Pete’s paintings also decorate the walls of a few celebrities. Pete’s famous collectors include Grammy Award winning group Boyz II Men, Country Star Blanco Brown, Comedian Matt Rife, BMX legend & Host on MTV’s The Challenge Mr TJ Lavin, Chef Vic Vegas, TV Producers NappyTabs, Hip Hop Icon Montell Jordan, Hollywood actor David Arquette, Las Vegas Headliner Carrot Top, Legendary Icon Tito Jackson of the Jackson Five, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer NeaL Schon of Journey, NFL Las Vegas Raiders player Maxx Crosby, NFL Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champ Matt Dicky, and several others celebs.
Back in 2015 and 2016, CastroART launched his career with solo and group art exhibitions. With shows in Chelsea New York City, Scottsdale Arizona, West Hollywood California, Solana Beach California, and a show inside the prestigious Caesars Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas.
2017, Pete began creating a line of wearable art on leather jackets and shoes which was being sold at a high end men’s fashion clothing store inside Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel. His wearable urban art on jackets also received notoriety when celebrity rapper Riff Raff Jodyhighroller commissioned CastroART to design two urban jackets for his upcoming music video “Tip Toe 2.” These jackets were featured on both MTV, and World Star Hip Hop.
On January 2019, after reviewing his artwork, famous artist, speaker and author Justin Bua invited Pete to be his featured artist during his “Art For The People” art show tour in Las Vegas.
In 2020, Pete was chosen & commissioned by the NFL Raiders owner Mark Davis and world renowned artist & curator Michael Godard to create his own design for 63,000 printed inaugural season tickets. The Raiders also commissioned CastroART for some original paintings which is currently on display at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Aside from Pete’s full time art career, he is passionate about his new found hobby in West Coast Swing Dancing. Pete along with his wife, Kathie Castro of 20 years, compete as “Intermediate” ranked dancers in West Coast Swing events that they attend monthly. Pete Castro also attends the University of Nevada Las Vegas as a junior pursuing a double major degree in Art History, and Psychology.
CastroART prefers to paint with acrylics and spray paint; however, he also enjoys painting with oil, sketching with pencil daily inside his sketchbooks, and airbrushing when creating wearable art on jackets and shoes. Occasionally he will play around with his Ipad and create some digital art magic.
Believing strongly in giving back to the community, Pete, through his art, has worked with charity organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, The Las Vegas Philharmonic, Autism Awareness, Project 150, Fallen Officers, the Salvation Army, PBS Network, Boys and Girls Club, and Mark Schunock’s “Mondays Dark” event. His artworks also adorn the walls of Central Christian Church.
CastroART's Representation, Selected Group Exhibitions, & Solo Exhibitions
2019 August 22 - Exclusive Collections Gallery, Solana Beach California, Pete Castro featured as the “Special Artist Appearance,” Solo Art Show.
2019 January 12 - Echo & Rig Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, World Renowned Artist Justin Bua's Pop Up Art Show, with Bua's featured Artist "CastroART" Dual art exhibition, "ART FOR THE PEOPLE"
2017 January - Nora Blue specialty boutique, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas NV, CastroART Wearable Art onto Leather Jackets for women
2016 December - Elton's Men's Clothing specialty store, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas NV, CastroART Wearable Art onto Leather Jackets for men
2016 August - Gallery Go, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, Major Established, Emerging, Street, Urban & Contemporary Artists, Group Exhibit, "New Collectors"
2016 June - The Gallery Of Music & Art, Caesars Palace Forum Shops, Las Vegas NV, Solo Exhibition, "Graffiti Toys: The Works of Pete Castro"
2016 April - Gallery Andrea, in Scottsdale Arizona
2015 January - Agora Gallery, Chelsea New York City, International Group Exhibit, Premier NY Showing, "Divergent Realities"
2015 March - ArtCetera Gallery, Downtown Summerlin, Las Vegas, Solo Exhibition, "Bronx rides the D train to Vegas"
CastroART in Publications & Media:
2021 April 8 - From The Ground Up, episode 14, Las Vegas Raiders YouTube Show, “In The Eye Of The Beholder. Michael Godard introduces Allegiant Stadium Art Collection. Pete Castro is featured among 70 artists.
2021 February 28 - News 3 Las Vegas - Sports Night Las Vegas, channel 3 “HENRY RUGGS III talks about his accomplishments this past year” Hosted by Bryan Salmond
2020 November 15 - GAMEDAY The Las Vegas Raiders Magazine, Sunday Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos, Nov 15 2020 issue, presented by Cox, page 136 “Cover Artist.”
2020 September 1 - Las Vegas NOW Lifestyle TV Show, channel 8 “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ART” Hosted by Mercedes Martinez
2020 August 24 - UNLV News, Accomplishments section, “Notable: Pete Castro,” www.unlv.edu/news/accomplishments
2020 August 4 - HOW TO LIFE Podcast, The Story of CastroART, Hosted by Dr Laura Jaget, www (dot) How To Life (dot) com
2019 September 6 - Fox 5 MORE Show Las Vegas "Art Meets Fashion," Hosted by Sean McAllister
2019 August 15 - Las Vegas NOW Lifestyle TV Show, channel 8 “Art You Can Wear with Pete Castro,” Hosted by Lindsey Gurk
2019 February - Las Vegas NOW Lifestyle TV Show, channel 8 Shoutout to CastroART for the Green Room upgrade painting, Hosted by Kendall Tenney and Courtney Perna
2019 January - Las Vegas NOW Lifestyle TV Show, channel 8 ART FOR THE PEOPLE, Justin Bua and CastroART Art Show, Hosted by Kendall Tenney
2018 October - Las Vegas NOW Lifestyle TV Show, channel 8 NOW, Las Vegas ARTLIVE at Delano Hotel Las Vegas, featuring artist CastroART
2017 November 8 - UNLV College Of Fine Arts "UNLV CFA Student Spotlight - Peter Castro," by Jennifer Vaughan, YouTube - UNLV College Of Fine Arts http:// youtu.be /JmN9Xv76eRc
2017 March - MR Magazine "Art Meets Fashion At Elton's Men's Store in Las Vegas," by Karen Alberg Grossman
2017 March - Luxury Las Vegas Magazine "Pete Castro: A Life in Painting," by Buford Davis, pg 34
2017 February - The Las Vegas Review Journal Summerlin View Interview, "Happy Beginnings" by Jan Hogan, volume 26, issue 7
2017 February - Fox 5 MORE Show Las Vegas "Celebrity Artist," Hosted by Monica Jackson, Exclusive Interview
2016 June - The Las Vegas Review Journal "Summerlin-area resident Pete Castro..." by Jan Hogan, News From Around The Valley, View section, Briefs
2015 December - MY VEGAS Magazine "Pete Castro: Giving (He)ART," by Jennifer Miller, pg 129
2015 November - Las Vegas Eater mentions CastroART's mural in Downtown Las Vegas Restaurant,Coming Attractions News
2015 October - The Las Vegas Review Journal Summerlin View Interview, cover story, "Sketching A New Career Path" by Jan Hogan, volume 24, issue 40
2015 May - Art Is Spectrum Magazine Chelsea New York, pg 65, volume 33
2015 May - The Morning Blend TV Show Interview, channel 13 ABC, Las Vegas Local artist feature story
2015 February - Fox 5 News TV Las Vegas Hosted by Monica Jackson, Exclusive Interview