Artist Bio

Vanessa Montenegro

Art has been my lifelong passion, inspired early on by a professional portrait artist in my family. Though I initially considered a career in veterinary medicine, my love for creative expression prevailed, leading me to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts and explore graphic art, video, animation, and figure drawing. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I also earned degrees in Finance and International Business. Today, I blend these two worlds as an artist, dynamic business owner, and educator.

Artistic Approach & Mediums
I tailor my materials to every subject, working across graphite, markers, pastels, oils, and acrylics. Whether I capture vivid energy with swift lines and vibrant colors or adopt a smooth, precise technique when a piece calls for it, my artwork reflects a wide spectrum of life—from human portraits, animals, and nature to sports and social commentary.

Studio & Endeavors
Based in Tampa, FL, I maintain an active studio and run an art school where I teach painting and design; I also have award-winning gallery work and public art projects.

Awards

2023 Second Place Pastels Award, Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL

2021 Best in Show Award, Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL
2019 First Place Award, Diaspora, Coalition of Hispanic Artists. Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL
2019 First Place Award for Pastel, Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL
2019 Honorable Mention for Pastel, Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL
2018 Third Place Award, Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL
2017 Second Place Award, Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL
2015 Best In Show Award, Westchase Artists Holiday Market, Tampa, FL
2015 Honorable Mention Award, Hodges Gallery, Art Center Manatee. Black & White Exhibit
2013 Honorable Mention Award, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL
2012 Honorable Mention Award, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL. USA.
2017 Second Place, Tampa Hispanic Heritage Poster, Tampa, FL.
2015 Best In Show, Westchase Artists Holiday Market, Tampa, FL
2015 Honorable Mention, Black & White Exhibit at the Hodges Gallery at the Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL
2013 Honorable Mention, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL.
2012 Honorable Mention, Tampa Bay Lighting Celebration of the Arts, Tampa, FL
2002 Spring Review Recognition, Department of Art and Art History, FIU, Miami, FL
1996 Women’s Caucus For the Arts Award, Miami, FL
1995 Outstanding Art Award MDCC, Miami, FL. USA
1995 Frances Wolson Art Scholarship Award, Miami, FL
1995 First Place Week Without Violence Chalk Talk Contest, MDCC, Miami, FL.
1995 Mural, Art Department, Miami Dade Community College, Miami, FL,
1993 1st place (Ages 14-17) Tampa Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest, Tampa, FL

Current and Past Shows

Solo Shows
2026 Garden to Still Life, Appellation, Healdsburg, CA

2025 Art of Playing, Rena Charles Gallery, Healdsburg, CA

2024 The Confection Perfection, Rena Charles Art Gallery, Healdsburg, CA

2020 Citrus Park Mall Pop Gallery, Citrus Park Mall, Tampa, FL USA
2019 Maureen B Gauzza Public Library, Tampa, FL USA
2019 The Gallery of Westfield Countryside Mall, Clearwater, FL USA
2017 John Brook Art Alcove, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Palm Harbor, FL. USA.
2016 Carrollwood Cultural Center Corridor Gallery, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2016 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Color, Light, and Motion,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Fifth Third Bank, Westchase Branch, “Art by Vanessa,” Tampa, FL. USA.

Group Shows

2026 Juneteenth Celebration, Healdsburg, CA

2026 Her Roots, Her Wings, Heritage and Identity, Ybor City, Tampa

2026 25th Annual Members Show, Florida Museum of Photography, Ybor City, Tampa, FL

2026 For Everyone Art Show, Rena Charles Gallery, Healdsburg, CA

2024 100 Women Artists Art History Mini Art Expo, Art Exchange, St. Petersburg, FL

2024 100 Women: Now and Then, Dunedin Fine Art Center, FL

2024 100 Women in Art History, Center Gallery USF, Tampa, FL

2024 Iconic Show, Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL

2023 Florida State Fair – Plein Air Competition, Tampa, FL.

2022 Iconic Portrait Edition, Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, FL

2022 Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL. USA.
2021 Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL. USA.
2020 Florida State Fair – Plein Air competition, Tampa, FL. USA.
2019 Diaspora, Coalition of Hispanic Artist. Kotler Art Gallery, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL. USA.
2018 the Maureen B Gauzza Public Library, “Vanessa’s Art Studio Adult Student Show”, Tampa, FL. USA.
2019 Florida State Fair, Tampa FL USA
2018 Bloom Chalk Fest, Safety Harbor, FL. USA.
2017 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “42nd Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2016 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Westchase Artists Society 10th Year Anniversary Show,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2016 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “41st Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2015 “The Exposure Award Nature Collection,” Paris, France.
2015 Hodges Gallery, Art Center Manatee, “Black & White Exhibit,” Bradenton, FL. USA.
2015 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2015 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “40th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2014 Upper Tampa Bay Library, “Expressions,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Amalie Arena, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Creative Loafing Historic Ybor Square, “White & Bright Carnival Night,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2014 Westshore Countryside Mall, “100 plus Artists,” Clearwater, FL. USA.
2014 Dunedin Art Center, “39th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Dunedin, FL. USA.
2013 Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, “38th Annual International Miniature Art Show,” Tarpon Springs, FL. USA.
2013 Tampa Bay Forum, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2013 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2013 Carter Gallery, “Westchase Artists Show,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Tampa Bay Forum, “Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Museum of Science and Indrustry (MOSI), “Illusion Through Colors,” Tampa, FL. USA.
2012 Tampa Art Museum, “FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition,” Tampa, FL. USA
2012 1st Tampa Bay Lightning Celebration of the Arts, Tampa Bay Forum, Tampa, FL
2012 Illusion Through Colors, Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Tampa, FL
2012 FIVE BY FIVE Art Exhibition, Tampa Art Museum, Tampa, FL
2012 Clearwater’s Dolphins, the Pod at Pier 60 Public Art exhibition, Clearwater, FL
2011 Get Wired, Cuban Sandwich Show, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL
2010 Westchase Artists at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tampa, FL
2010 Westchase Artists Show at Jewish Community Center, Tampa, FL
2010 “Tile Unveiling” at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, Tampa, FL
2009 Christmas Morning in the Artist’s Studio, Clearwater, FL
2009 Quiet Conversations, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, Tampa FL
2009 Hillsborough County Visual Arts Alliance, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa, FL
2009 The Great Art Escape” at the Oldsmar City Hall Art Gallery, Tampa, FL
2008 Art at the Speed of Life, Jacey Gallery, Tampa, FL
2008 Art After Dark, Tampa Museum, Tampa, FL
2008 “Color of Art” Exhibition, UTB Library, Tampa, FL
2008 Expressions of Westchase, Great Frame & Art, Tampa, FL
2007 Car And Art Show, The Auto Legend, Oldsmar, FL
2006 “Altars” at Latino Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2005 Member Exhibition, The Art Center, St Petersburg, FL
2003 Fragments of a Bigger Picture, Two Women Show, Tessie Franzblau Gallery, Miami, FL
2003 La Réalité Délicate, Parlor de Suvito, Plantation, FL
2003 BFA, The Art Museum at Florida International University, Miami, FL
2003 Southern Shift, ASL Gallery University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
2002 The Art Show, W-10 Temporary Gallery, FIU, Miami FL
2002 Annual FASA, Graham Center Gallery, Miami FL
2002 Annual Student Show, The Art Museum, FIU, Miami FL
2001 Printing Exhibit, Green Library and Graham Center, Miami FL
1998 Just Works, Española Way Art Center, Miami Beach, FL
1996 Annual Student Show, MDCC Gallery North, FL
1995 Metals, Commission of 36 x 7 feet mural, Art and Philosophy Department Miami Dade Community College, North Campus, Miami, FL