ARTIST OF THE MONTH - December 2013...

Veronica Martins – “BACC Artist of the Month” December 2013

December 3, 2013 By Jess

Veronica Martins

Veronica Martins, a Brazilian artist residing in Bridgeport’s Hollow neighborhood, is perhaps best known for her graphite portrait drawings utilizing existing photographs.   Completely self-taught, Veronica has sketched everything from beloved family pooches to the late Blues crooner Amy Winehouse.  She is frequently commissioned by residents in her neighborhood to draw family portraits.

Veronica’s Sketches

In May 2013, Veronica participated in her first solo exhibition in a New Haven cafe. She successfully auctioned off sketches of President Obama, the First Lady Michelle Obama and Bob Marley. Veronica continues to show her work at events throughout the region.

This past summer Veronica worked on two outdoor projects in Bridgeport. She painted a Cape Verde beach scene on the wooden fence of Red Rooster’s outdoor patio at 256 Oak Street. Veronica also completed several images at the Saint Margaret Shrine depicting the scene where Don Juan had the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, 2523 Park Avenue.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Margaret Shrine on Park Avenue in Bridgeport

In addition to pursuing her own art, Veronica’s dream is to have a studio space where she can provide classes to neighborhood children. She recently started her “Want to be an Artist” project, a workshop for area children aimed to help develop creative skills and intellectual curiosity.  Concerned with the abundance of technology, Veronica hopes these children will put down the video games and pick up brushes and pencils instead. Classes currently take place in a local church and are taught in both English and Portuguese. In January of 2014 Veronica will be teaching an after-school program at the Cesar A. Batalla School.

“Want to be an Artist” student

“Want to be an Artist”

Goals and Mission Statement

1. To provide a quality program for students to learn the skills necessary to draw, paint, and create 3D art.

2. To provide a warm and friendly environment  that challenges students.

3. To help minimize the constant use of video games and the internet by allowing kids to explore a wide array of drawing and painting mediums such as graphite , charcoal , pen and ink pastels, watercolors, acrylics, oils and more.