Noel Suarez
Noel Suarez is the living embodiment of passion and talent required by all great artists, which is reflected in his ever-evolving work. He is recognized as one of a small number of artists whom Miami’s ascendancy to the world cultural stage is reflected in the lifetime of his career. Cuban-born Noel was raised in the environment of a theatrical family and at the age of five started his ballet training at the Escuela Provincial de Ballet de la Habana, and continued his training at La Escuela Nacional de Arte Cubanacan.
Noel also took painting and drawing classes in Havana’s Academy of San Alejandro. He danced with the renowned Alonso’s in Cuba and toured with the company throughout Europe and Canada, and was also a member of Havana’s Opera Ballet. Noel arrived in the U.S. in 1981 after an eight-month engagement as Principal Dancer and Teacher in Costa Rica’s Compañia Nacional de Danza. In the US he danced with Ballet Concerto, Dance Miami, Boston Ballet and New England Dinosaur Dance Company. While dancing he was also given the opportunity to design sets and costumes for the companies he danced with. Due to a knee injury, in 1986 Noel retired from dancing and pursued a career as an Artist. Some of his commissions for private and corporate collections include: murals for the Ritz Plaza Hotel in Miami Beach, and the Grove Isle Hotel in Coconut Grove, for which he also created the fountain at its entrance. He has also created murals for San Diego’s Paradise Point Hotel. Argentinian author Alicia Borinsky selected two of Noel’s paintings for her book jackets. In 1989 he was commissioned to create a portrait of the late Eartha Kitt, who became a collector and mentor. His work has also appeared in major motion pictures, and he served on the Fine Arts Board of the City of Miami Beach from 1994 to 1997. In his theatrical works, Noel collaborated in DIFFA’s 1993 production of “Acts of Hope” as Artistic Director and Producer and also created the commemorative poster of the event. DIFFA invited him again to stage the 1996 DIFFA’s Production of Collection Rouge for its Miami premier. In 2002 he was commissioned by the 
University of Miami to create sets, costumes and lighting design for the production of National Ballet of Cuba’s Prima Ballerina Rosario Suarez for the World Premier of her ballet “Cecilia Valdez.” Absolut Vodka commissioned Noel to create the commemorative poster for the 1989 Absolut Models for Boston to benefit the Homeless. In 1994 Absolut again chose Noel to create one of the umbrellas for the “DIFFA’s Pink Umbrellas Project” and then again for the 1998 DIFFA Dallas Jacket Collection. In his ongoing work in the fight against AIDS, Noel created “We Shall Overcome” to benefit the Boston AIDS Action Committee for their ARTcetera 88 auction. New York’s AIDS Relief Fund selected Noel to create the image for New York’s “Beauty & Beyond‘98” to benefit Beauty Cares. Also in 1998, Care Resource, South Florida’s largest AIDS service agency designated Noel as the featured Artist for Miami’s White Party, and again in 2004 to create the image for their 20th anniversary event. Noel also created the image for Miami’s AIDS Walk 2000. He was also chosen to create the Commemorative painting for First Night Miami Beach 2000 Millennium Celebration. In 2001 Noel was asked to create the panel on behalf of Miami in the National AIDS Quilt Display. His works have generated thousands of dollars for AIDS Nationwide. The City of Miami Beach selected Noel in 2002 to design five Flamingos for the Art in Public Places Flamingo Project. In 2005 he collaborated with fellow artist Romero Britto creating five large paintings now all in private collections.
Noel has received national recognition with profiles and features in numerous magazines, newspapers, television and films. The European Library of Artists in Barcelona selected him for their 2007-2008-2009 editions of “100 Contemporary Artists of the World”. He is also featured in the first edition of the book “100 Artists of the Male 
Image” published by Schiffer Publishing, as well as “The World’s Greatest Erotic Art of Today-Volume 4” published by ES Publishing. Noel was invited to participate in the prestigious International Art Exhibit at the Carrousel of The Louvre Museum in June of 2009. He created “La Colaborazione” with Mr. Uberto Gucci/Gucci family, which premiered in Florence and Miami Beach during Art Basel 2011. In 2013 Noel created the painting for the official invite of CNN en Español Miami’s Premiere Gala. Since June of 2013 Noel became an Artist in Residence for Oceania Cruises where he creates, teaches and exhibits his paintings and sculptures. As a constant personal quest Noel’s work is always evolving, from techniques and mediums to subject matter, capturing the attention of youthful art enthusiasts as well as educated collectors.
