Nicholas Rostagno
Nicholas Rostagno is a native Wisconsinite raised in Waukesha. During the early 1990s he served his country in the US Navy and after receiving an honorable discharged began his studies in The Fine Arts. In 1997 he received his B.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He continued his education at the Sul Ross State University in Alpine Texas where in 2001 he achieved his first of two Master in Ceramic Work; his second was from the University of North Texas, a Masters in Fine Art with a minor in Sculpture was achieved in 2004. He also studied and taught at the Lorenzo de ‘Art Institute of Florence, Italy and received his Certificate in Ceramic and Paint Restorations.
In addition to his role as a teacher, Nick continues developing new chemical recipes to achieve truly exceptional colors not only in high fire glazes, but in Crystalline, slips, and stains. The balance between the clay bodies and his recipes add new dimension to his ceramic art form. With his pairing of his unique designs with the extraordinary glazes he creates ceramic pieces with brilliant reds, bottomless blues, vibrant violets and unbelievable Crystalline.
In 2005 Nick opened Dark Star Galleria and Studio located in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. The gallery is a showcase of not only his individual works, but an art house whereby various artists can display their masterpieces with various events orchestrated to spot light their special talents.