about gerrol

Gerrol Benigno was born in Plant City, Florida in March of 1950, but spent most of his childhood in such places as Europe, California, and North Carolina. Gerrol’s artistic interests and abilities began as early as elementary school while working with clay, metal, and pastels. However, it was during his service in the United States Army as a fixed prosthetic specialist that Gerrol learned wax-carving and casting techniques. After leaving the Army, Gerrol studied under a master jeweler and goldsmith for four years before opening his own jewelry retail establishment in Gulfport, MS.

For over twenty years, many within the local and regional communities admired Gerrol’s jewelry work. However, in 2000, Gerrol decided to leave retail for a while in order to concentrate on designing and manufacturing his own line of jewelry, as well as perfecting his painting and clay sculpting techniques. Gerrol’s jewelry designs have been featured at Symmetry Jewelers and Designers (New Orleans, LA) and B&B Artworx (Gulfport, MS). You can find his latest collection of jewelry at Negrotto’s Gallery & Custom Framing (Biloxi, MS).

Working with clay became more than a hobby for Gerrol—it became his passion. In 2005, Gerrol created a collection of unique clay fish sculptures that continue to bring rave reviews. These individually named fish with giant personalities have been featured in The Sun Herald, Ocean Springs Record, South Mississippi Living magazine, and Beach Blvd magazine. Gerrol has also been featured on That’s What I Like About the South (Fox 25), Art Beat, and the WLOX/ABC 13 news.

Gerrol’s award-winning clay fish sculptures, as well as his other works, are currently sold at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art gift store (Ocean Springs, MS) and Negrotto’s Gallery & Custom Framing (Biloxi, MS). Gerrol also tours local and regional art shows, including the annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival (Ocean Springs, MS) each November. He also offers hand-building clay classes for individuals or groups.

Gerrol is a member of the Ocean Springs Art Association and the Biloxi Art Association.

He also offers hand-building clay classes for individuals or groups.

Artist Statement

"My clay sculptures are renditions of people and personalities that I have encountered. What I like most about this collection is that they often evoke laughter. I feel fortunate to be able to take things in life—hard things—and turn them into laughter."