Michael Wirth, M.F.A.

Biography

Mike Wirth is a visual artist, futurist and design educator whose work bridges contemporary art, technology and Jewish identity. He is known for large-scale murals, interactive installations and public art projects that engage themes of social justice and cultural memory. Wirth has spent more than 20 years shaping visual narratives that spark dialogue and reflection.

His murals, digital museum exhibits and publications have been showcased across the United States in New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Charlotte and Los Angeles, and internationally in Croatia, Poland, Germany, Montenegro and Israel.

Mike is known for his Jewish Futurism work, where he imagines neon-lit visions of Jewish life in space and beyond. He hosts the Jewish futurism Lab podcast, a creative research space where he interviews artists and thinkers, and shares insights on Jewish identity and the future. He is also the author of “Hiddur Olam: An Artist’s Experience Through the Parshiyot,” the weekly Torah portion, which explores Torah study through the lens of creativity and visual expression.

An educator and community builder, Wirth serves as Full Professor of Graphic Design at Queens University of Charlotte and as artist-in-residence with the Stan Greenspon Center for Holocaust and Social Justice Education. His mentorship work extends through programs such as Spill the Honey, the Charlotte Black and Jewish Alliance, and Project Protégé. He is also a founding member and board mentor of the Talking Walls Festival, Charlotte’s first citywide mural and public art event.

Recognized for his commitment to cultural storytelling through art and design, Wirth has participated in numerous exhibitions and residencies, including Charlotte’s Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition in 2021, the JADA Art Fair during Miami Art Week in 2022, and the Jewish on Paper exhibition at the Jerusalem Biennale in 2024. His ongoing practice and research continue to explore Jewish futurism and digital interactivity as evolving forms of creative expression.

Education

M.F.A., Design and Technology, Parsons School of Design
B.F.A., Digital Art and Design, Long Island University