About
Say Hello: Rmadraw@gmail.com
Rob Anderson, born on June 10th, 1989, in Queens, New York City, is a visual artist whose work blends creativity with community. Like an improvisational musician, Rob approaches any space as an artistic opportunity, using bold lines and shapes to ignite his audience’s connection to art and each other. His style is delightfully playful yet deeply intentional.
Community engagement lies at the core of Rob's artistic journey. In 2017, he began volunteering at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center (KHCC) in the Bronx, offering summer art classes and mural workshops for youth groups. This initial experience led to his involvement in fundraising events and interactive group murals.
Between 2018 and 2019, Rob collaborated with Federal Realty Investment Trust and the Fresh Meadows community to create six outdoor murals across Queens, NYC. His success in Queens opened doors to larger projects, including a 2,000-square-foot mural for Rego Center and private commissions for McDermott Will & Emery at One Vanderbilt, Manhattan.
Rob's interactive "Kittizen" murals have been showcased at events across New York City, Florida, California, New Jersey, and Hungary, inviting thousands of people of all ages to participate in the creative process. During a visit to Hungary in the summer of 2022, Rob worked with students at a vocational school (Tekerd Studio), collaborated with the LEGO factory and the Museum of Fine Arts, and held a solo exhibition featuring 16 new artworks inspired by his journey.
As an alumnus and grant recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, and a teaching artist with the Brooklyn Arts Council, Rob continues to bring art into public spaces. Whether through large-scale murals or community-driven projects, he remains passionate about sharing his process. If you ever cross paths with Rob, he’ll be happy to hand you a brush and invite you into his world of art.
“In my school yearbooks, I stated that I wanted to be an architect, an aerospace engineer, a writer, a politician, a rockstar musician… it’s no wonder I became an artist! An artist is a cross disciplinary discipline. It was my curiosity to ask “Is art any good?” And my choice to answer “if yes, then what for?” I believe that through my work I can help shine a light on the beauty of people, the strength of community, and the magic of creation.”
-Rob
Selected Acomplishments
2024
LEGO Jatékváros Festival
Interactive Artist
Partnered with LEGO Group and Tekerd Studio to produce a live interactive painting and 35,000 piece Lego mosaic for LEGO Day in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. Visited by over 20,000 guests.
Molotow Street Art Festival
Interactive artist
Partnered with the paint brand Molotow to produce an interactive art canvas during an outdoor creative festival in Filatorigát, Budapest.
“Shape of Music” Solo Exhibition
Exhibiting artist
Partnered with Aranytíz Cultural Center in Budapest to produce 10 paintings themed around connecting to music for a month long solo exhibition. The opening night included performances by musicians from the Hungarian National Opera House.
Rego Park Kittizen Interactive Art Day
Interactive artist
Worked with Vornado Realty to produce an all-day interactive art event that featured a paint by numbers canvas, art lessons for kids, and an art making workshop.
European National Institute of Culture Mural
Mural Artist
Represented Hungary during a collaboration between 9 countries to produce a mural in the east village, Manhattan called “Garden of Collective Futures.”
HungaroFest
Interactive Artist
Partnered with the Hungarian Consulate of Toronto to produce an interactive art canvas for hundreds of guests during a Hungarian cultural festival at Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto.
Hungarian Summit
Interactive Artist
Produced an interactive canvas during 3 day business development retreat at Daytona State University, Florida.
Superfine Art Fair
Interactive Artist
Partnered with Superfine Art Fair in Times Square to produce a 20 foot interactive mural that engaged hundreds of guests over 4 days.
Rubik50 Interactive Workshop
Interactive artist
Partnered with Liszt Hungarian Cultural Center New York to produce an interactive canvas celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rubiks Cube in Central Park.
HUGfest
Interactive Artist
Featured live painter and interactive artist at HUGfest 2024 platform launch festival. Held in the Canvas 3.0 gallery at Westfield World Trade Center.
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Arts Educator, Interactive Community Artist, and Fundraiser
Produced a three week arts workshop for KHCC’s various youth and disability programs including drawing lessons, art philosophy, collaborative art making, and community arts activities. The interactive paint-by-numbers canvases created were a part of KHCC’s 50th Anniversary Gala donated and live auctioned to community sponsors.
Private Art Exhibition in Budapest
New exhibition preview
Produced an art exhibit to showcase over 20 new artworks created over two months in my Budapest Studio Gallery. Included interactive art canvases, storytelling, catering, and a live music performance by violinist Viktória Szilvásy of the Hungarian National Opera house. The musical theme of the artworks are a part of a developing series to be displayed at the renown AranyTíz House of Culture, Budapest, during August.
Easy Art Space
Interactive Community Artist
Created a 40x60 inch community art canvas honoring musicians during a nightlife electronic music event in Budapest. The art creation performance invited guests to participate, and a live recording was relayed to a screen behind the DJ booth and served as an audio-reactive visualizer backdrop.
2023
Queens College
Interactive Community Artist and Presenter
Worked with the Alpfa (Association of Latino Professionals for America) Student Organization to create an Art in Leadership workshop that included an interactive canvas honoring the “Queen of Queens.” The artwork was then featured at the Queens College Rosenthal Library Art Gallery for the “With Love, From Queens” art exhibit. Sale of the artwork supports funding educational opportunities for student leadership programs.
Spike’s K9 Fund
Interactive Community Artist and Fundraiser
Developed a 5x5 foot interactive art canvas for a community event at The Canvas at Westfield Shopping Center. Worked with first responders, search and rescue, servicemen, and their K9 team members to engage with the community in a paint-by-numbers activity in honor of their service. The artwork was then a highlighted live auction item during Spike’s Soiree Fundraiser at One World Observatory, with the artwork generating $5,000 in support of training, health, and protection of service animals.
PsychArt 24 Hour Marathon
Live Art Participant
Created 3 artworks alongside dozens of live artists at the Hungarian Semmelweis University Atrium during a 24 hour live art marathon spanning across 5 cities. Donated artwork to auction for fundraising in support of artists with disabilities for the Moravcsik Foundation.
Private Art Exhibition In Budapest
Private Collection Exhibition
Created and displayed over 20 new artworks created over the course of a month to selected guests, friends, and family at my Budapest studio gallery.
Nyíregyháza Skill Festival (Szakmafeszt)
Interactive Community Artist
Worked with the Tekerd Lego Organization at Wesselényi Miklós Technical School to produce a 35,000 brick Lego mosaic and 5x5 foot paint by numbers artwork for over 700 students at a professional skills expo in the town center. Designed artwork, coached students, and worked with local faculty to engage guests with art and design.
Easy Art Space
Interactive Community Artist
Provided an interactive art activity for an outdoor food festival in Budapest, Hungary. Created 2 40x60 inch paint by numbers canvases that engaged over 200 guests throughout the day.
Private Client Employee Engagement
Leadership in Art Event Producer
Worked with corporate client to produce an interactive art activity for interns and their mentors at an employee retreat at the Bryant Park Grill event space. Worked with over 100 guests to produce 2 5x5 foot art canvases for placement in corporate offices.
Vornado Realty
Community Engagement and Interactive Artist
Developed four interactive public art events for the Rego Park community at Rego Shopping Center. Designed wholesome, family oriented painting workshops that created unity and joy among over 500 neighbors across 6 5x5 foot canvases. After the events, taught drawing and storytelling workshops to smaller groups of students. The resulting artwork is displayed in the windows of vacancies to create an atmosphere of creativity, color, and life.
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Gala Live Artist
Created a 36x36 inch live work of art in front of guests at the KHCC annual fundraiser. Interacted with guests and donors, encouraging them to participate in coloring the artwork. The artwork was then live auctioned and raised $5000 with the proceeds donated to family and youth programs.
Southern State Connecticut University
Interactive Community Artist and Presenter
Was invited by the Office of the President to create a 5x5 foot interactive art canvas for students on campus “Culture Day.” Engaged with over 100 students in the painting process. Presented a lecture on artwork, leadership, and unity in the community for the college’s Leadership Development Program.
Brooklyn Arts Council
Teaching Artist
Directed 10 week after-school Art Clubs across four public schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Activities included virtual art tours, student presentation development, drawing lessons, visual storytelling workshops, and leadership training activities. Taught over 120 students between grades 3-7. Highlighted culmination projects include a 13x25 foot mural made by students in Coney Island, collaborative paintings, and three art shows of student artwork that invited family and faculty to celebrate students.
2022
Brooklyn Arts Council
Teaching artist
Directed an 8 week after-school Art Club at P.S. 19Q. Organized virtual art tours, visual presentations, group paintings, drawing lessons, t shirt designing workshops, and leadership training activities with over 30 students between grades 3- 5. Worked alongside community liaisons, guidance counselors, and co-teachers to assist in the individual development of students in the classroom and beyond.
Southern State Connecticut University
Presenter
Was selected by college president Joe Bertolino to present “Drawing from Community,” a story of how art impacts communities, followed by a group character development activity with college students during the SCU leadership retreat.
2021
New York Foundation for the Arts
Grant recipient.
Designed an 800 square foot school mural for P.S. 19Q on Roosevelt avenue and 99th st.
Held daily mural workshops with participation from P.S. 19 students and their families. Also taught 4th and 5th grade art/drawing classes during the afternoons in support of introducing multiple disciplines through a creative lens.
Vornado Realty
Public art installation and community artist.
Designed 2000 square foot mural for the Rego Center atrium on 63rd drive and queens blvd.
Held mural workshops inviting daily participation from local residents and workers.
Held 3 community art days with 300+ participants completing 3 paint by numbers canvases.
Worked on art decals for vacant storefronts to bring color and atmosphere to empty windows.
New York Hall of Science
Grand re-opening art activation painter.
Directed a 3 day art activity with 3 6x6 ft paint by numbers canvases completed by 300+ participants. Designed the outlines of the paintings to the themes of architecture, science, and outer space.
Trained and developed activity staff.
Roselle Park Arts Festival NJ
Painted a 6x7 ft interactive canvas with 80+ participants.
Held family art workshop and drawing tutorials.
Parkside Ave Revitalization Event BK
Live painting alongside performing musicians.
Held a live auction of the painting and donated proceeds to local art beautification organization.
Private Art Show with Micasa events BK
Transformed 3 story brownstone into an art show and performance space. Installed all work, hired catering, event staff, and musical guests. Created a 5x7ft interactive canvas with 30+ participants.
One World Trade Center
Spike’s Soirée performing artist.
Volunteered as live artist for Spike’s K9 penthouse fundraiser event in support of first responders and servicemen. Auctioned live painting, custom shoes and jackets, and donated all proceeds to Spike’s K9 fund.
One Vanderbilt
McDermott Will and Emery Collection with Lendrum Fine Arts.
Created two 5x5 foot canvases for penthouse conference rooms, and a 400 sq ft mural for the 45th floor lobby entrance.
Bananamations
Animator
Produced a two minute dance animation during COVID lockdowns remotely, working with musicians, choreographers, and film makers.
2020
Superfine! Art Fairs
Live interactive artist for Los Angeles and San Francisco art fairs.
Installed and hosted paint by numbers activity totaling over 350 square feet across 4 canvases and 400+ participants.
Wall of Justice Community Murals BK
Community Mural Artist
Participated with several artists to transform an empty lot into a public mural display. Held a 4 day art event inviting friends and locals to learn about mural making and participate in dialogs on social justice and how to build unity.
Shopcore Properties
Community Mural Artist.
Transformed plywood storefront coverings with a 400 sq ft mural about kindness. Invited daily participation from protest/rally attendees.
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Summer art workshop director and mural artist.
Coordinated and taught summer art classes with the community youth center. Completed 2 group canvases, and a 250 sq ft community garden mural. Participated in two fundraiser events auctioning live paintings and donating all proceeds.
Federal Realty
Community mural artist.
Produced six murals in the Fresh Meadows shopping plaza with community participation from local high school students totaling over 1200 sq ft. Took part in restorative justice activities that invited vandals to assist in the mural painting.