Souza, Al, 1944-

Al Souza was born in 1944 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

He is an American artist, painter, and educator. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, 1967; M.F.A. in painting, 1972) and Art Students League, New York (1967-1970). After graduation, he taught at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts (1973-1979) and Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts (1974-1977). His other teaching jobs included the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas (1979-80); Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island (1980-1981); Clark University, Worchester, Massachusetts (1982-1987); East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas (1987-1988); University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts (1987); San Diego State University, San Diego, California (1988-1992); University of California at San Diego, California (1991); and University of Houston, Houston, Texas (1992-2013.) Souza has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. His work is part of numerous collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Dallas Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of Art, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Tyler Museum of Art, University of Houston, Houston Airport System, City of Houston, New Orleans Museum of Art, Mississippi Museum of Art, Montgomery Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Parrish Art Museum, DeCordova Museum, San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, and the University of Massachusetts. Souza was awarded an International Association of Art Critics/USA Award in 2007 for Best Show in a Commercial Gallery Nationally, 1st Place, for the exhibition David Ireland, Jess Collins, and Al Souza at Moody Gallery (December 3, 2005 - January 14, 2006). He is the recipient of numerous other grants, awards, and residencies.