At 95 years old, artist Joe Valentino continues to astonish the art community with his creativity, vision, and generosity. His newest and most meaningful work, known as his Legacy Project, is titled What a Wonderful World.
Joe’s art is created from hundreds of tiny pieces of colored paper, meticulously cut into intricate shapes and assembled into stunning compositions. This remarkable project consists of nine individually crafted and framed works, each thoughtfully illustrating the lyrics of Louis Armstrong’s beloved song, What a Wonderful World. Together, the pieces form a powerful visual tribute to beauty, hope, and humanity.
Why a Legacy Project? Joe Valentino created this work with a clear and heartfelt intention: to place his art in a setting where children and young people actively engaged in learning and creating art could experience it every day. He wanted his work to live in the classroom, sparking curiosity, imagination, and inspiration for future generations of artists.
Joe has chosen Studio ACE as the permanent home for this extraordinary project. Studio ACE is a nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to connecting, inspiring, and enriching lives through Arts, Community, and Education (ACE). The values of Studio ACE perfectly align with Joe’s desire to give back and nurture creative growth.
About the Artist — Joe Valentino
Joe Valentino is a celebrated San Marcos–based artist known for his vibrant, imaginative paper art that has captivated audiences for decades. His work was featured on CBS Sunday Morning, where his sun-inspired pieces were selected from thousands of submissions and showcased on national television — a recognition he still treasures. Valentino’s art combines intricately cut paper with paint, each piece assembled by hand with joy, optimism, and a distinctive creative voice rooted in fantasy and warmth. (CBS 8)
With a long and rich artistic journey that began with a background in advertising design and creative work in New York, Joe has continued to explore themes of light, renewal, and wonder through his work in the San Diego area. His pieces draw viewers into a world where color, shape, and imagination intersect.
