Bio

Vera is a New York City-born artist. He received his Bachelor of Science in 2007 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and studied under sculptor Barney Hodes. He is currently an instructor at the Art Students’ League of New York and is part-time faculty at the Parsons School of Design, teaching 3D practices in BFA/MFA Fine Arts Programs. He is also a member of the Puppet Department at the Lion King New York on Broadway.

He has shown in multiple venues throughout the East Coast, had long-term installations at venues such as Riverside Park South, New York, NY, and Leonia Sculpture Garden, Leonia, NJ, and has a permanent installation in Rye Town Park, Rye, NY (2018). His practice primarily uses representative modeling and metal-forming techniques to explore his subject matter. Vera's current work explores the relationship between the human form and large minimal geometric structures reminiscent of the emerging modern designs of major metropolitan landscapes.  He questions the interaction, (oftentimes the conflicts) of modern progress and classical ideals.

Curriculum Vitae

Selected Exhibitions

  • “Instructors Exhibition” The Art Students League of New York, New York, NY, 2024

  • “Wildflowers”, West 132nd Street Community Garden, New York, NY, 2023

  • “Metal - A Sculpture Exhibit”, 7B Nolan Park, Governor’s Island, NYC, 2017

  • “Quiet Place”, Bushwick Brush, Brooklyn, NYC, 2016

  • “Cope” Rye Town Park, Rye, New York, 2016

  • “Rawspace”, Superfi ne Miami at Art Basel, Miami, Florida, 2015

  • "Gensler Portrait Exhibition", Gensler, New York, New York, 2013

  • “Model to Monument: Flux”, Riverside Park South, New York, NY, 2012

  • “The Nigerian Lawyers Association’s 2nd Annual MoMA Art & Wine Mixer”, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2012

  • “Group Show”, Townhouse Art Gallery, Park Slope, NY, 2011

  • “Merit Scholarship Exhibition”, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, New York, NY, 2011

  • “Staff ed”, Manhattan Borough President Offi ce, New York, NY, 2011

  • “Sculptors Alliance, Inc. 30th Anniversary Exhibit: Then and Now”, Tompkins Square Library Gallery, New York, NY, 2010


Installations

  • “Disposable Hero” Leonia Sculpture Garden, Leonia, NJ

  • “Cope” Riverside Park South, New York, NY(current location: Rye Town Park, Rye, New York)

  • “BioMask” (Collaborative) Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY

  • "Stone Pigeon" Greenpoint Sculpture Wall, Brooklyn, NY


Awards/ Residencies

  • Model to Monument Participant, Art Students League & New York City Parks Department, New York, NY 2012

  • Gerda Karr scholarship for sculptors 2010

  • Touchstone Center for Crafts Studio Resident Assistant 2006

Teaching

  • 2021-Present, Part Time Faculty, BFA and MFA Fine Arts, The New School: Parsons

  • 2023, Guest Lecturer, Museology, Pratt Institute

  • 2008-2017 / 2024-Present, Instructor, “Metal Sculpture”, Art Students League of New York

  • 2013-2015, Program Manager, “Model to Monument”, Art Students League of New York