Artist Biography

Brandon Borgia is a multi-disciplinary artist, technician, and educator whose work captures the intersection of natural beauty and industrial precision in Northwest Pennsylvania. A lifelong resident of Erie, Borgia has spent nearly a decade perfecting the art of refraction photography. Using a crystal ball as an external lens, he transforms iconic local landscapes into self-contained, spherical worlds, offering viewers a distorted yet hyper-focused perspective on the familiar.

Starting his journey with an iPhone 7, Borgia’s practice is built on the philosophy that artistic vision is not defined by the price of one’s equipment, but by the persistence of the eye. This democratic approach to art has led him to become a top-selling artist at Glass Growers Gallery and a featured retailer at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and the Presque Isle Lighthouse. His work is held in numerous private and corporate collections, including permanent installations at Erie Federal Credit Union and Erie Retina Research.

Beyond the lens, Borgia is a master maker. As the Innovation Center Technician at Erie County Community College (EC3), he utilizes CNC and laser-fabrication technology to bridge the gap between fine art and industrial design. His portfolio includes everything from stainless steel corporate signage for PHB Inc. to intricate, seven-layer laser-engraved topographical maps of Lake Erie.

A dedicated community mentor, Borgia shares his expertise as an instructor at the Inner City Art House and the Erie County Public Library. He is a member of the Photographic Arts Society of Northwestern PA (PASNWPA) and a graduate of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, where he developed a comprehensive 50-page business plan to scale his practice. Borgia continues to serve the Erie community by "being the light"—teaching, building, and capturing the region’s evolution through a unique, multi-disciplinary lens.