Up Close with Manny Vega

Three musicians wearing all white sitting on chairs playing latin drums. Women dancing in front of musicians.Artist Manny Vega in blue suit with shaker instrument.
Image - Filip Wolak

Up Close with Manny Vega invites audiences of all ages to interact, engage, and learn with the Museum's artist in residence, Manny Vega! Building on the works featured in Byzantine Bembé, the Museum's exhibition highlighting his versatile body of work depicting the city, Vega will lead workshops, interactive art making activities, and live art demonstrations.

Check back for more details soon!

Coming Up:


Mid-Winter Recess Family Workshops:

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

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. Vega 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. 

Vega has worked as 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. 

Aerial overhead shot of two children coloring with markers and other colorful art supplies on a table around them.
Event Monday, February 19, 1:00pm

Painting the City with Manny Vega

Join us for an intimate, pen and ink drawing workshop with artist-in-residence Manny Vega inspired by art on view at the museum! Ages 10+
Aerial overhead shot of two children coloring with markers and other colorful art supplies on a table around them.
Event Saturday, February 24, 1:00pm

Drawing Family with Manny Vega

Join us for an intimate, pen and ink drawing workshop with artist-in-residence Manny Vega inspired by art on view at the museum! Ages 10+
A colorful mosaic of two figures riding a motorcycle and wearing surgical masks.
Event Saturday, March 9, 1:00pm

Open Studio: Art Making with Manny!

Join the Museum's artist-in-residence Manny Vega for a live art making workshop building off the themes featured in our exhibition celebrating his work, Byzantine Bembé: New York by Manny Vega.
Manny works on a huge in progress mosaic on a table in his home studio.
Event Saturday, May 11, 1:00pm

Open Studio: Mosaic Making

Learn the mosaic making process and be part of collectively making a mosaic with other museum visitors, moderated by Manny Vega.
A mosaic of a woman with a red skirt.

Related Exhibition - Through December 8, 2024

Byzantine Bembé

Explore the visual storytelling of El Barrio’s own artist and mosaicist Manny Vega.
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