Juan Alberto Cruz was born in Cataño, Puerto Rico in 1941. Immigrating to the States with his family at age five, he moved between New York City and Puerto Rico throughout his childhood. During his teen years, he fell in with a gang and on August 23, 1959, he was involved in the accidental shooting and killing of a young woman. At just 17 years old, Cruz was sent to Auburn prison in upstate New York. It was there that he met James Harithas of the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY who led an inmate art program; and where Juan Cruz found his passion for art. As he studied and expanded his talents while incarcerated, artists and curators began campaigning for his release, and in 1975, New York Gov. Malcolm Wilson ordered his sentence commuted.
Cruz went on to study at New York City's Art Student League and was later offered a scholarship to study at the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. A series of grants from the INERI Foundation in the 1980s enabled Cruz to travel to Spain, Mexico, Central America, and Cuba.
Along with his studies, Cruz ran a pilot program funded by Youth Community Service to work with young art apprentices to paint murals across the South and West Sides of Syracuse. He also worked as an interpretor and housing aide at the Spanish Action League, and as an artist and instructor at La Casita Cultural Center, where he taught children to express themselves through art.
Juan Cruz passed away in January of 2024 at the age of 82; his memorial was held at La Casita, where he was remembered by friends and family. This collection is a selection of artwork, photos, and videos representing his legacy as an artist, activist, and community member.
