Live Mini-Portraits by Manny

Don't miss your chance to see Manny Vega's artistic process in real time as he paints museum guests! In conjunction with Byzantine Bembé: New York by Manny Vega, Vega will spend the afternoon painting visitors of the Museum. From 1pm to 3pm, swing by the Marble Court on the 2nd floor of the Museum to see him working in watercolor to capture visitors visages in a matter of minutes. 

In the weeks to follow, the portraits will be on view in the exhibition as part of Vega's artist in residency. 

About the Artist:
Manny Vega (born 1956; Bronx, New York) is a visual artist who works in various mediums including graphic design, illustration, printmaking, set and costume design, public art murals, and mosaics. 

Throughout the years, Mr. Vega's artistic message has been a consistent recognition of the human spirit in our daily lives. Manny's depictions of historical figures, such as Julia de Burgos and Dr. Antonia Pantoja, and his spiritual and cultural references provide a rich and accurate account of the legacy of Latinos and the diaspora at-large in this country. 

Mr. Vega was a student at the High School of Art and Design, graduating in 1974, when he was enrolled in the art workshops of El Museo del Barrio, Taller Boricua, and the Printmaking Workshop, NYC. Later, Manny was an apprentice to the muralist, Hank Prussing, who painted ''The Spirit of East Harlem.” This experience led to more mural commissions for CITYarts, United Bronx Parents, and the Bronx Council on the Arts. In 1997, he was awarded a commission from the MTA to design artwork for the 110th Street train station in East Harlem. 

Mr. Vega has worked as a consultant for Paul Simon, Shelly Rubin, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors. He has exhibited extensively in the U.S. and overseas in Brazil. His mosaic portrait of Dr. Antonia Pantoja has been included in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. His next commission will be a life-size portrait statue of ''Tito Puente'' that will be installed on 5th Avenue in East Harlem.