Paintings
Shaped by my heritage and culture…
I am a painter born in the historic seaport of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and raised by a single mother in the East and West Sides of New York City. My Portuguese and French-Canadian heritage, along with exposure to an eclectic mix of post-World War Two European émigré communities and Afro-Caribbean, African American, and Latino cultures, helped shape my creative lens.
Today, those experiences live in my paintings, which are designed not just to be observed, but to be experienced as spaces of contemplation, witness, and shared cultural reflection
2022 – Present
BLACKBIRD
GALLERY
The Blackbird Gallery, Detroit, Michigan, represents Fortier’s work. The gallery’s artists and their works create visual narratives of historical, social, and transformative content. The Blackbird Gallery provides a space and backdrop for the artist’s vision, voice, and soul. The diverse collection reflects stories of historical, social, and spiritual content.
2021 – Present
EMBRACE CREATIVES
ART CONSULTANT
Ron Fortier is also represented by Embrace Creatives in Detroit, Michigan. They are a full-service art advising firm and maintain an online and brick-and-mortar art showroom. Embrace Creatives works with art specifiers, including architects, interior designers, and collectors.
2016 – Present
O RASTRO
GALERIA
The Galeria O Rastro, located in Figueira da Foz, Coimbra, Portugal, has represented the artist since he emigrated to Portugal in 2016. The gallery was founded in 1992 and regularly acquires works by international artists such as Karel Appel, Luís Feito, Arpad Szenes, Miquel Barceló, AR Penk, Lindstrom, Antonio Saura, and Erró.
1971 – 1975
EDUCATION
Art Degrees
Ron Fortier attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He received a BFA in Painting from Southeastern Massachusetts University and an MFA in Painting from the University of Miami.
2009 – Present
CO-FOUNDER
THE ARTISTS INDEX
Jeff Wotton and Ron Fortier co-founded The Artists Index, a collaborative community digital archive to document the contemporary and historical artists of the South Coast of Massachusetts.