We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlos Enrique Prado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carlos Enrique, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have been privileged throughout my life. By privilege, I mean the opportunity to develop self-expression and engage in creative activities from an early age, which shaped my path into a professional artistic career.
I was born in Havana, Cuba, into a family deeply connected to the arts. My parents nurtured my artistic education from a young age, taking me on regular visits to museums, art galleries, and the studios of their artist friends. Our home was filled with art books, cinema, literature, and music, all of which surrounded me and influenced my worldview. But most importantly, my parents instilled in me a sensitivity to nature and life itself, which became the foundation of my artistic journey.

Pursuing a professional artistic path felt natural—almost inevitable. I began my artistic education at the age of 10 and formally entered a professional visual arts program at 14 when I was admitted to the National Academy of Fine Art San Alejandro. From there, I continued to refine my craft, ultimately achieving the highest degree in visual arts at the ISA–University of Art of Cuba.

The transition to a professional artistic career came naturally. After 12 years of rigorous studies, my identity as an artist was deeply ingrained—I was wired to create. Art became my language, a means of expressing ideas and emotions while offering viewers a vehicle to explore their own.

However, making a living as a professional artist is never easy. Fortunately, I found another creative passion—teaching. Becoming an art professor has been just as fulfilling as making art itself. Teaching allows me to share my knowledge, guide aspiring artists, and engage in a deeply rewarding creative exchange. It has also provided some financial stability that helped me navigate the unpredictable nature of an artistic career.

Today, I feel grateful and privileged to maintain both paths—creating and teaching—allowing me to contribute to the artistic world in multiple ways.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a visual artist and educator, whose work explores the intersection of form, function, and conceptual storytelling through clay. Originally from Cuba and now based in Miami, I have dedicated my career to pushing the boundaries of ceramic art while fostering creativity in my students and the broader art community.

My journey into art, in particular into ceramic sculpture, began with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and materiality. Growing up, I was fascinated by the ways objects could tell stories and evoke emotion. This passion led me to pursue formal training in ceramics and sculpture, eventually earning recognition for my work both in academia and in the professional art world.

What distinguishes my approach to ceramics is my ability to merge traditional techniques with contemporary frameworks. I believe that ceramics is not just about making objects—it’s about engaging and reshaping cultural heritage in a dynamic way. Recently, I have expanded my efforts by integrating digital modeling and 3D clay printing techniques into my creative process. Computer modeling provides me with broader artistic possibilities, including the opportunity to incorporate and manipulate digital models made from original ancient artworks. Whether through my personal work, teaching, or curatorial projects, I strive to create meaningful connections between material, history, and human experience.

I take great pride in my ability to mentor and inspire students, helping them develop both their technical skills and artistic vision. Many of my students have gone on to pursue successful careers in ceramics and the arts. Additionally, my participation in significant exhibitions and collaborative projects has allowed me to contribute to the global ceramics discourse while continuing to evolve as an artist.

At its core, my work—whether in the studio, classroom, or gallery—is about exploration and dialogue. I invite viewers, students, and collectors to engage with sculptures not just as objects, but as vessels of meaning and connection. Through my artwork, exhibitions, and classes, I hope to continue fostering a deeper appreciation for the power of ceramic sculpture in contemporary art and culture.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to establish an ongoing dialogue with a future audience. When I work in my studio, the creative process involves asking myself many unanswered questions, which then become an integral part of my artwork. Later, when viewers engage with my work, they inherit those questions, and it is up to them to either continue the conversation or dismiss the argument.
Creating art is not just about producing objects for sale to sustain a living—it is an emotional necessity. Self-expression is something I cannot avoid; it is a fundamental part of who I am. Art-making is a therapeutic activity that allows me to process my thoughts and emotions, helping me maintain balance and clarity in my life.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I believe that everything I have learned or encountered in my creative journey has come at the right moment. Every book, technique, instructor, and opportunity arrived precisely when I was ready to absorb, apply, and grow from it. Each artwork I have created was a direct response to the skills, tools, and resources available to me at that time. This continuous evolution of new encounters and discoveries has shaped my body of work, allowing viewers to trace the transition from my early career in Cuba to my later artistic development in the United States. Rather than wishing I had known certain resources earlier, I see my artistic path as an organic process—each stage unfolding at the right time to push me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carlospradoart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlospradoart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlosenriqueprado

Image Credits

Ivonne Ferrer, Alian Rives, Carlos Enrique Prado