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Throughout the years Edwin Fontánez has built an impressive and inspiring creative career. Born in Puerto Rico, the multifaceted author, visual artist, and poet has achieved a variety of awards for his outstanding works as a children’s and YA author, illustrator, and graphic designer. As an author, Fontánez’s literary efforts reflect his determination to write stories for children inspired by the rich tradition and culture of his native Puerto Rico. His goal is to encourage reading at an early age by creating original, imaginative works.

Fontánez’s artistic foundation is supported by studies at the Madame Lucchetti Arts High School in el Condado, San Juan; a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Plastic Arts of the Puerto Rico Institute of Culture; and an associate degree in communication design from Pratt Institute in New York.

Dedicated to his literary and creative mission, Fontánez jumpstarted his career with the creation of his own publishing house, Exit Studio, in 1994, where he serves as Founding President. Under his brand, he has written, illustrated, designed, and published works that stand out for their extraordinary beauty and originality. Among Fontánez’s inspirations are themes of nature, Puerto Rico’s lush landscape, cultural traditions, the psychology of characters, and relationships between animals and humans.

Throughout his long and extensive career, Fontánez has designed and hosted a great variety of arts workshops and activities for children and families in schools and children’s museums, as well as for national cultural organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has made appearances across the United States and Puerto Rico at museums and universities. His most recent exhibition was at the Kennedy Center’s RiverRun festival with his installation “River Island.”

Fontánez resides in Virginia.