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JC Rivera

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Roll with the Punches

 

JC Rivera is a US-based Puerto Rican Contemporary artist who has spent the last decade creating one of the most uplifting and iconic street art brands in the world. JC’s work leverages relatable characters including ‘The Bear Champ’ to bring hope and inspiration to communities across the globe. 

 

In recent years, popularity of JC Rivera’s work has skyrocketed, attributed to his message to “Roll with the Punches”, helping both children and adults alike see through tough times, no matter what comes their way. 

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He is the most prolific street artist in Chicago with more commissioned murals than any other urban artist in the city, and is growing to accomplish similar notoriety in Miami. He has hosted national sponsorships with brands including American Express, Adidas, McDonalds, and sporting teams including the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls.

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While JC Rivera is best known for his large-scale bright color murals and street art, his fine art is celebrated as a great investment with collectors. 

CV 

Timeline

  • 1979: Born in Puerto Rico

  • 2000: Moves to Orlando holding management and retail positions while developing his artistic craft

  • 2007: Moves to Chicago and begins investing time in the local arts and community

  • 2013: Creates The Bear Champ

  • Present: Continues to see the impact of The Bear Champ in the community through murals, merchandise, galleries and brand collaborations

Selected Exhibits

JC Rivera has hosted artwork at numerous galleries across the United States (LA, Chicago, New York, and more), as well as internationally in Barcelona, Italy, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong including: 

  • Art Basel (solo exhibit), USA

  • Streams Gallery, Hong Kong

  • Vertical Gallery, USA

  • Sho BCN, Barcelona

  • All Star Press, USA

  • Artist Replete, USA

  • Vertical Gallery, USA

  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, USA

  • Multitude Gallery, USA

  • NTWRK, Online 

  • UVD Toys, USA

  • Gallery 38, USA

  • Gallery Cafe, USA

  • Strangecat Toys, USA

  • Rotofugi Gallery, USA

  • Galerie F, USA

  • GRC Movement Gallery, USA

You can see select works of JC Rivera on Artsy.com

Selected Collaborations & Brand Engagement

  • American Express

  • Adidas

  • Boost Mobile

  • Cafe Bustelo

  • Capital One

  • Levi's 

  • McDonalds

  • Oscar Mayer

  • Shake Shack

  • Sun Bum

  • Tissot

  • The Chicago Bears 

  • The Chicago Bulls

  • The Chicago White Sox

  • Topo Chico

  • Umami Burger

Selected Media

  • Chicago Tribune (Cover) 

  • Michigan Avenue Magazine (Cover)

  • Hypebeast

  • Miami News Times

  • Houston Press

  • Timeout

  • Daily Herald

  • The Plain Dealer

  • IndyStar

  • Patch

  • Up Mag

  • WGN9

  • Inteligencia.io

  • The Times

  • Culture Trip

  • Columbia Chronicle

  • Westword

  • 14East

  • Daily Coffee News

  • Chicago Maroon

  • DNA Info

  • Creative Mornings

  • James Beard

  • Hotel Management

  • Marriott Traveler 

  • Widewalls

  • Sunshyne Productions

  • Street Art Cities

  • Secret Chicago

  • Chicago Sun Times

  • Harbor Country News

  • The Voice

  • The Other Art Fair 

  • The Block Club

  • Chicago Parent

  • The Arts Section

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