Veronica Figueroa | Executive Director

When I was fourteen years old, I was introduced to mural and 3D art at a local church in my native Puerto Rico. While I learned and painted, my love for art became an integral part of me. In 1994, I packed my suitcase and moved to Madison, WI. The bone-chilling temperatures of our Wisconsin Winters reminded me of how much I missed my family and the friends that I left behind. I missed the sunny days, the warm rain, and even the call of the Coquí. In the midst of it all, Art spoke to me, I painted, and created, and found solace in my personal expression. This realization led me to study Art. I received my Associate Degree in Graphic Design from Madison College. By then I had established myself in Madison, WI. I began to explore ideas that I could implement to provide my community with ways to express their concerns through collaborative art projects.

In 2014 I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Art Therapy at Edgewood College. During that time, I was offered the position of Executive Director for UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. I accepted, and soon I created a space at UNIDOS where survivors would use their original ideas to heal and recover from domestic abuse. Through art-making, survivors can feel comfort. Art and creativity have always been the manifestation of everything that I do. I believe that creative expression empowers people and it can make a powerful contribution in their healing process.

I see art as a tool for healing, and a way to introduce people to new artistic experiences. Through my small Art Business, MVF Art and Design, I was contracted by DAMA (Dane Arts Mural Art) and there I met a fantastic group of artists who work to beautify Dane County, and create spaces for dialogue, community engagement, and violence prevention through mural making. I believe that we are all creative beings, and our own originality helps us survive and thrive.

Came onboard in 2017