About Mario
In every creature, there is inherent beauty, and I strive to find the shapes and lines that best define that unique individuality. – Mario Chiodo
As destiny would have it, Mario Chiodo was sculpting mud he dug from the yard as a small boy. Born to Italian parents, family visits to Italy only fueled his desire. He has vivid memories of Michaelangelo’s Pieta and The Four Slaves emerging from stone, works that impressed upon him dynamic gesture and the depth of emotion possible in sculpture. Chiodo was fortunate to be pulled from traditional middle school and sent to a hybrid school for the arts where he flourished.
Discovered as a young man sculpting likenesses, Chiodo has been a professional sculptor involved in massive creative projects, private or public commissions, and epic monuments over the last 35 years.
The Legacy
Early Childhood (1960s)
Elementary School Years
Middle School
Late Middle School
High School Years
Young Adulthoold
(Late 70s - Early 80s)
1980s
1990s
2001
2001 - 2013
2011
2013
2014 - 2020
2021 - 2025
2025 - Today
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Born in Oakland, California, to an Italian mother and Italian-American father.
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Demonstrated artistic talent at a very young age, drawing on walls and sculpting faces from clay dug out of the backyard.
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Teachers recognized his unusual artistic abilities while he was still in elementary school.
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Diagnosed with Tritanopia - 92% Colorblindness
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By approximately age 12, educators encouraged and supported his artistic development beyond the traditional classroom environment.
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Selected for an innovative arts-focused educational program, where he received specialized instruction in the visual arts.
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Became deeply influenced by the works of Michelangelo, Rodin, and other classical masters, shaping his lifelong passion for sculpture.
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Continued developing skills in drawing, sculpture, design, and storytelling through art.
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Began creating highly realistic likenesses and character studies that distinguished him from his peers.
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Continued developing skills in drawing, sculpture, design, and storytelling through art.
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Began creating highly realistic likenesses and character studies that distinguished him from his peers.
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Entered the professional art world through the Halloween and entertainment industries.
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Founded what would become a highly successful art and design business specializing in character design, collectibles, themed environments, and sculpture.
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Established himself as a leading designer and sculptor in the seasonal products industry.
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Created licensed products and collectibles for major entertainment companies, including film studios such as Lucas Films, MGM Studios, Disney and other popular franchises.
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Expanded into large-scale themed architecture, public installations, casinos, hotels, museums, and entertainment venues.
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Worked on Terminator 2 with Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Produced major sculptural projects for destinations in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Niagara Falls, including Harrah's, Cesear's Palace & History of Jazz Museum.
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Built a national reputation for large-scale artistic design and fabrication.
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Following the September 11 attacks, shifted his artistic focus toward human rights, history, compassion, and public education.
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Conceived the vision for Remember Them: Champions for Humanity.
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Spent more than a decade researching, designing, sculpting, fundraising, and developing the monumental Remember Them project.
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Dedicated his full attention to creating inspirational public art that could educate future generations.
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The first sections of Remember Them: Champions for Humanity were unveiled in Oakland.
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The monument quickly became one of the largest and most significant public sculptures in the western United States.
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Final dedication of Remember Them: Champions for Humanity.
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The monument established Chiodo as one of America's leading monumental sculptors and public artists.
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Continued creating major public commissions, historical monuments, humanitarian tributes, and fine art collections.
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Developed projects focused on civil rights leaders, historical figures, and cultural storytelling.
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Created and developed additional public monuments, including projects honoring figures such as Frederick Douglass and the Dalai Lama.
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Expanded educational and community-focused public art initiatives.
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Continues to work from Napa Valley as an internationally recognized sculptor, designer, and public artist.
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Initiated Seeds Of Peace - A Global Public Art Series
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Leads the development of major monument projects, humanitarian-themed public art, and educational initiatives designed to inspire future generations through history, art, and civic engagement.
