Biography:Gary Traczyk is an accomplished kinetic stainless-steel sculptor based in South Florida. Hisunique creations have been commissioned and exhibited by prestigious galleries, individuals,and institutions across the United States and internationally. His dedication to stainless steel asa medium, spanning decades, has placed him in a distinct class of master sculptors. Early Life:Born in 1969 on an Air Force base in Homestead, Florida, Gary Traczyk was raised in a Polish-Italian and Vietnamese American household. When he was seven, his family moved to northernItaly due to his father’s military career. The rich artistic environment of Venice, where he spentmuch of his time exploring renowned museums, sparked his lifelong passion for the arts.Education & Service:Gary's artistic journey began at the prestigious New World School of the Arts in Miami,(formerly the New World Conservatory), followed by a transformative Renaissance art studyprogram in Florence, Italy with Florida State University, where he also earned bachelor'sdegrees in finance and multinational business. Captivated by the works of sculptors like GeorgeRickey and Alexander Calder, he quickly gravitated towards stainless steel, establishing his ownstudio in 1997. However, before committing entirely to his art, Gary embraced a life of service,influenced by his family's legacy in firefighting. He underwent rigorous training at the fireacademy in Ocala, Florida, and subsequently joined the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue team.There, Gary gained expertise in various specialized disciplines, including air rescue, fire boats,and SCUBA operations. This unique blend of artistic passion and dedication to service hasprofoundly shaped Gary's approach to his work, infusing it with a sense of discipline, resilience,and a deep appreciation for the dynamic forces of nature.Artistic Career & Exhibitions:Gary balanced his firefighting career with his artistic pursuits, meticulously refining hissculptural techniques. His breakthrough came in 1999 when his work was featured alongsideprominent sculptors at a benefit auction for The National YoungArts Foundation. This exposureled to his participation in renowned art exhibitions such as Art Miami, SOFA Chicago, TorontoArt Expo, Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, Hamptons Fine Art Fair, ArtSanta Fe, Art Coachella, Art Palm Beach, Palm Beach Modern, The Affordable Art Fair NY andothers globally. Gary has representation with galleries in Park City, Key West, Naples, Sarasotaand Ft. Lauderdale.Collaborations & Features:Gary has collaborated with renowned artists, including Romero Britto, and his work has beenfeatured in major publications like Celebrated Living Magazine American Airlines, The New YorkTimes, Art Daily News International, Miami Herald, NBC Television, Southwest Art Magazine,Palm Beach Florida Weekly, Malibu Times, ArtBlend Magazine and HGTV. Philanthropy:Gary Traczyk's commitment to philanthropy has been a hallmark throughout his artistic career.He has generously donated his sculptures to support various charitable organizations, such asthe National Breast Cancer Foundation, Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, Autism Speaks,the Lupus Foundation of America, the Arthritis Foundation, and Operation Smile incollaboration with Romero Britto. His contributions also extend to the Boys and Girls Club ofBroward County, the YoungArts Foundation, and the Miami Marathon. Notably, Gary has beenhonored as the distinguished artist for the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, awardedby the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and the University of MiamiSupport in Research Award. Beyond his donations, Gary actively engages in educationaloutreach, visiting schools throughout South Florida to motivate and inspire future artists.