Curriculum Vitae (CV)
ABOUT ME
Carlos Vargas is a Cuban American and LGBTQ+ artist with a love for storytelling in all forms. Since beginning his creative journey in 2018, he has authored children's books, designed board games, and brought cities to life through video projection at festivals across the country. Carlos is the founder of Once Upon a Game, a boutique publishing house for board games and books for all ages, as well as Tiny Blot Studios, his creative studio focused on fine artwork. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his husband and their wonderful cats.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
College of Arts + Architecture Department of Art & Art History
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Concentrations in Graphic Design and Digital Media)
Minor in Art History
EXHIBITIONS & FESTIVALS
Seat at the Table | Sept. 2025 | Watuga Arts Council (Boone, NC)
Pixel Prize | June 18 - 29 2025 | Carrie Able Gallery (Brooklyn, NY)
Digital Graffiti Festival (2025) | May 16 - 17 2025 | Alys Beach, Florida.
Digital Graffiti Festival (2022) | May 13 - 14 2022 | Alys Beach, Florida.
Digital Graffiti Festival (2021) | May 12 - 15 2021 | Alys Beach, Florida.
#DGatHome Projection Art Experience | May 2020 | Digital Exhibition
UNCC Spotlight | June 2019 | C3 Lab (Charlotte, NC)
COSO 19 | May-June 2019 | VAE Main Gallery (Raleigh, NC)
Solo Exhibition | Sept. -Oct. 2018 | HagerSmith Design PA (Raleigh, NC)
Digital Graffiti Festival (2018) | May 2018 | Alys Beach, Florida.
Out of Line | April 2018 | Rowe Arts (Charlotte, NC)
UNCC Juried Exhibition | February 2018 | Rowe Arts (Charlotte, NC)
Invisible Forces | November 2017 | Rowe Arts (Charlotte, NC)
Mechanical Eye | March 2017 | Rowe Arts (Charlotte, NC)
GRANTS & AWARDS
Regional Artist Project Grant | 2019 | North Carolina Arts Council (ASC)
Best in Category (Inject Flexible) | 2012 | PICA Awards