
From Punks to Art Blocks: Snowfro’s Journey Into a Digital Art Revolution
Erick Calderon, better known as Snowfro in the “metaverse,” is a renowned pioneer in the NFT space and an avid CryptoPunk holder and enthusiast. As the creator of Art Blocks, he has been instrumental in elevating artists and establishing generative art as a significant sector within the NFT world, particularly through his influential Chromie Squiggles project. Now, we dive into his transformative journey in the world of digital art.
In the seventh episode of “Punks As Told By CryptoPunks,” a revealing new docuseries presented by CryptoPunks and nft now, Calderon shares his journey on discovering CryptoPunks, which brought him into the world of web3. As a pioneering collector and a vital force in the CryptoPunks community, Calderon’s experiences reveal how a single project can ignite a generative art revolution and shape the future of digital ownership.
Discovering CryptoPunks
When asked to describe CryptoPunks in one sentence, Calderon’s response was powerful, stating, “The discovery of provable ownership of a digital asset that catalyzed an entire generation and conversation around community ownership and individuality that I just did not even know could exist.”
Calderon’s adventure in the realm of digital art began with a simple Reddit post about CryptoPunks. As an early enthusiast of the Ethereum ecosystem and participant in various dApps, the concept of assigning ownership to a digital asset was a groundbreaking revelation for him. His background in digital arts and technology primed him for the excitement that CryptoPunks offered, marking his first foray into owning a digital piece that resonated with his artistic and technological interests.
“The discovery of provable ownership of a digital asset that catalyzed an entire generation and conversation around community ownership and individuality that I just did not even know could exist.”
Erick calderon
“When I discovered the crypto punks project, I was like, oh, okay, like they’re assigning ownership to something digital. And for the first time, because as someone who has been participating in the digital arts for a long time, I never really had that ability to assign ownership to something digital. And it was a generative project.” Calderon shared his excitement behind his discovery; from then on, he was all in and lured into crypto discords.
Transitioning to Web3: A Career Shift
Initially a side hobby alongside managing a tile company, Calderon’s involvement in the CryptoPunks community and other digital art platforms soon grew into a full-time endeavor. The launch of Art Blocks in 2020, initially a hobby project, gained unexpected traction, compelling Calderon to balance his responsibilities towards his tile business and his burgeoning role in the digital art space. Over time, as the digital world demanded more of his attention, Calderon transitioned into a full-time web3 role, driven by his passion and commitment to the community.
“It soon became clear that it was just unmanageable to develop.” Calderon shared how he became overwhelmed with the fast success behind Artblocks, how he was in the discord every single day, and decided he had to be full-time in web3. CryptoPunks played an instrumental role in Calderon’s shift towards digital art. The project grounded his interest in blockchain technology with a focus on art, merging his love for creativity with his tech-savvy nature. “And so yeah, punks 100% Like I don’t know that I would be here today if it wasn’t for the CryptoPunks.”
“And so yeah, punks 100% Like I don’t know that I would be here today if it wasn’t for the CryptoPunks.”
erick calderon
CryptoPunks, for Calderon, was more than just a digital asset; it represented a new narrative in the digital space, emphasizing the potential impact on creators and artists.
Calderon’s journey offers valuable insights for those curious about entering the crypto and digital art space. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to learn, identify genuine thought leaders, and be wary of scams. His advice is to engage with the community, understand the technology, and align with people passionate about the future of digital art.
“You know, when I was in the crypto bunch discord, I delusionally it was like, you know, these things will be in museums one day, and people were laughing pretty hard. Now they are,” he shared how he never expected that to happen so quickly, and because of that same reason, he would only expect the community and overall visibility of the digital art world to continue growing.
“You know, when I was in the crypto bunch discord, I delusionally it was like, you know, these things will be in museums one day, and people were laughing pretty hard. Now they are.”
erick calderon
Looking ahead, he envisions CryptoPunks evolving from speculative assets to a moment in history, artistic artifacts. He anticipates broader distribution and recognition, transcending their current status and becoming entrenched in more museums as symbols of a digital revolution.
Watch the full seventh episode here. Check back each week for new episodes exploring the project’s evolution and interviewing notable figures across the CryptoPunks community.

Editor’s note: This interview transcript has been edited for concision and clarity.