Claudio Ghirardo was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada and his first group exhibition was at the New Bronx Art Space, where he sold both paintings opening night. He then exhibited at the Toronto Indoor Art Exhibition, the Adapt Gallery, and the Parker Gallery, where he had a one-man show. Recent exhibitions include the Women’s Art Association Juried Annual Show, Gallery 888’s “Season of Non-Violence” juried show, the Dessinee Art Gallery, Lakeshore Arts 10 th Annual Juried Exhibition, and Arts Etobicoke 23 rd Annual Juried Art Show. He recently received Third Prize at The Fifth Semi-Annual Juried Art Exhibition and an Honourable Mention at Visual Arts Mississauga 26 th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts. The jurors said his painting was, “ The Steelworker by Claudio Ghirardo is an unusual and very successful use of the watercolour medium. Rich in colour and simple flat-shaped design, the subject’s face reflects the weight of his daily life’s profession with a sinister and steely resolve painted with a delicate hand.”

He has done private commissions for various clients. The North York Mirror called Claudio’s work, “…vivid, out-of-the-ordinary style and subjects.” Sandy Millar of the Mississauga News wrote that his Venetian Masks series were, “…impressive and striking works…There are few artists in the city that can match Ghirardo’s figurative works.”

Claudio won a Bronze in the 1994 C.A.P.I.C. Annual Awards Show and in 1999, he received an Honourable Mention at the Illustrators of the Future contest.

Claudio took the one year Arts Fundamentals course at Sheridan College in 1984, then attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon & Graphic Art, Inc. and graduated from the three year diploma course in 1989 with a 3.6 average (4.0 being the maximum). Part time courses include Mohawk College in Hamilton , Dundas Valley School of Art, Ontario College of Art, and The School of Visual Arts in New York City .