John Rego born in 1996 in Providence, Rhode Island is an illustrator painter and educator. Primarily working in acrylics or digitally, John's work is inspired by surrealism, northern Renaissance art, and New England folk art. His work depicts narratives referencing lived experiences, human's relationship with the natural world, and daily observations.
John received his BFA in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art in 2018, and his MFA in Illustration as a Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts in 2021. John has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, and 3x3 Magazine. He has worked with clients including Alma Books, Chamberlain Coffee, Fidelity, FIFA, NPR, Oxford University Press, Penguin Random House, Stags' Leap Winery, State Farm, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.
Area(s) of Expertise:
Illustration, Painting
Teaching Appointments
Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Boston, MA
- Temporary Full Time Professor (Fall 2023 - Spring 2026)
- Visiting Lecturer (Spring 2022 - Spring 2023)
Parsons School of Design | New York, NY
- Part Time Faculty (Spring 2023)
Selected Exhibitions:
SELECT GROUP SHOWS
2026: Common Waters: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2026: Salut 11: Gallery Nucleus | Portland, OR
2026: Microdose 6: Nucleus Portland | Portland, OR
2025: Krampus 2: Copro Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
2025: Aqua Miami: Arch Enemy Arts | Miami, FL
2025: PS 10 Postcard Art Show: Nucleus Portland | Portland, OR
2025: Small Wonders 14: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2025: Spectrum 6: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2025: BLAB 20: Copro Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
2025: Beyond Tides 4: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2025: Salut 10: Gallery Nucleus | Portland, OR
2025: Dying to Grow: House of Waves | Newport, RI
2025: MassArt Auction: MassArt Design Center | Boston, MA
2025: Art for the People: Menino Arts Center | Boston, MA
2025: With Love Your Biggest Fan 5: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2024: Plenty 2024: 13 Forest Gallery | Arlington, MA
2024: PS 9 Postcard Art Show: Nucleus Portland | Portland, OR
2024: Aqua Miami: Arch Enemy Arts | Miami, FL
2024: Small Wonders 13: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2024: Imaginary Menagerie 6: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2024: BLAB 19: Copro Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
2024: Contact High 3: Arch Enemy Arts | Philadelphia, PA
2024: Smorgasbord: Gallery 1988 | Los Angeles, CA
2024:Salut 9: Gallery Nucleus | Portland, OR
2024: MassArt Auction: MassArt Design Center | Boston, MA
2024: Illustration 66: Society of Illustrators | New York, NY
2023: Art Now: Brasswork's Gallery | Portland, OR
2023: BLAB 18: Copro Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
2023: Wag Your Tail: Vertical Gallery | Chicago, IL
2023: Eat at your Own Risk: Out of the Box Gallery | Jamestown, RI
2023: Salut 8: Gallery Nucleus | Portland, OR
2023: One Sheet Print Show: Gallery 1988 | Los Angeles, CA
2023: MassArt Auction: MassArt Design Center | Boston, MA
2022: Smorgasbord: Gallery 1988 | Los Angeles, CA
2022: BLAB 17: Copro Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
2022: Salut 7: Gallery Nucleus | Portland, OR
2022: One Sheet Print Show: Gallery 1988 | Los Angeles, CA
2022: MassArt Auction: MassArt Design Center | Boston, MA
2022: Illustration 64: Society of Illustrators | New York, NY
2021: MFAI Thesis Show: SVA Chelsea Gallery | New York, NY
2021: Paintings 2011-2021: Site Brooklyn | Brooklyn, NY
2021: City Hall Exhibit | Jersey City, NJ
2021: Spring 66: Superchief Gallery | New York, NY
2021: MassArt Auction: Bakalar and Paine Galleries | Boston, MA
2021: Emerging Artists 2021: Dodomu Gallery | Brooklyn, NY
2021: The Book Show: SVA Galleries | New York, NY
2020: Color Management: SVA Flatiron Gallery | New York, NY
2020: MassArt Auction: Bakalar and Paine Galleries | Boston, MA
2020: Starta Arta: Gramercy Gallery | New York, NY
2020: Chuck's Bucket: SVA Gramercy Gallery | New York, NY
2019: Seeking Spaces: Bushwick Open Studios | Brooklyn, NY
2019: Illustration Exhibit: The Art League Gallery | Alexandria, VA
2019: MassArt Auction: Bakalar and Paine Galleries | Boston, MA
2019: Illustration West 57 Gallery Show: Swains HQ | Glendale, CA
2018: Holiday Show: Imago Foundation for the Arts | Warren, RI
2018: 30 & Under: Imago Foundation for the Arts | Warren, RI
2018: MassArt Auction: Bakalar and Paine Galleries | Boston, MA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022: Natural Selection: Dryden Gallery | North Providence, RI
Awards, Honors & Residencies
AWARDS
2025: Society of Illustrators 68 | Illustration Annual
2025: AI-AP | American Illustration 44 Winner
2024: Society of Illustrators 67 | Illustration Annual
2024: AI-AP | American Illustration 43 Winer
2023 Society of Illustrators 66 | Illustration Annual
2021: Society of Illustrators 64 | Gold Medal Uncommissioned
2021: AI-AP | American Illustration 40 Winner
2020: SVA Merit Scholarship
2020: AI-AP | American Illustration 39 Winner
2019: The Art League | Illustration Exhibition Honorable Mention
2019: Little Compton Community Center | Award of Excellence
2019: 3x3 Illustration Show No. 16 | Honorable Mention
2018: Society of Illustrators: West 57
2018: Creative Quarterly No. 53 | Runner-Up
2018: George Nick Prize
2018: MassArt | Illustration Departmental Honors
2018: Creative Quarterly No. 51 | Runner-Up
2017: AFK Student Scholarship | Runner-Up
RESIDENCIES
2023: Art Farm | Marquette, NE