Designer Warfare: The Art of Nick Masiello

Fort Myers, FL – In the month of November, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts presents the thought-provoking art of Nick Masiello. This show aims to show a parallel between big brands and the military industrial complex and its funding of a forever war in the world. An opening reception is scheduled for the evening of Friday, November 6, 2026, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. The exhibition will be on display until November 29, 2026.

Nick Masiello was born in Dover, Delaware and moved to southwest Florida as a young child. He received his bachelor’s degree in art from Florida Gulf Coast University in spring 2012 and remains active in the local arts scene, working with several large-name artists and galleries in the area; curating, installing, and transporting art. In 2013, he became one of the founding members of Bootleggers Gallery – a pop-up art gallery on Art Walk and Music Walk where the artists take home 100% of their profits. In 2015, he cofounded the Syzygy Collaborative Art Project with artist Danielle Branchaud and has remained active in the years since. These two artists share studio space at DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery. Masiello has exhibited in Miami Art Basel, the Sidney Biannual in Australia, Museum of Outdoor Arts Denver, Florida Gulf Coast University, Alliance For The Arts, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery, Unit A Gallery, Tincture Gallery, HW Gallery, Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, Arts Bonita, AC Hotel Tampa, Otherside Ink Gallery, Howl Gallery, Dysfunctional Grace Gallery, and a mural for Vice News Miami in 2014 as well as several murals since in Fort Myers & Sarasota.

“In today’s modern times commodities are seen as high value luxury items while human life is often overlooked as meaningless.” – explains Masiello.  “Most of these large corporations and known labels have ties to funding wars and human suffering, with the general population being completely unaware. Luxury is thrown at us through constant advertising to keep us distracted and consuming products. Instead of funding peace and prosperity, society has chosen to become the “have/have not” construct and give their waning earnings to gigantic corporations. All in the name of looking more impressive with their friends, while strangers they pass by struggle to survive, while children pass away in the foreign wars they helped to fund.” – adds the artist, whose hope is for this show to bring awareness of this conflicting ethical and monetary issue all while delivering a new body of work that holds true to my artistic style and message. Even with a heavy subject at hand, the works are still meant to be playful, bright, beautiful and luxurious. “The plight of man shall be told through high art and couture fashion.” – he concludes. 

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery is located at 10051 McGregor BLVD, STE 104 in Fort Myers, Florida (Alliance for the Arts campus). The gallery’s business hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm, and first Friday from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. Information about the venue can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-955-0422.