Vera Manzi-Schacht

Vera Manzi-Schacht is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Digital Art and Design at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. Her pedagogical philosophy emphasizes hands-on creativity, integration of technology, and engagement with New York City’s cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, and Whitney Museum.

• Education:
  • M.F.A. in Fine Arts with minor in Art History from Hunter College Graduate School
  • Textile Design from Fashion Institute of Technology
  • Training at Circolo School, Pietrasanta, Italy

Research Interests:
Manzi-Schacht’s practice spans terracotta and natural-light sculptures, video art, and art history. She explores themes of memory, cultural identity, and interdisciplinary connections through works like The Memory Palace Series and her magic-realist novel-inspired video When the Stars Came Out in Pienza. Her projects often blend historical techniques with contemporary narratives.

Scientific Awards & Grants:
Recipient of prestigious awards including:

• National Endowment for the Arts Grant (2014/2009) for installation and lecture at Dowling College
• New York State Council on the Arts Grant for Grand Army Plaza exhibit
• Residencies at American Academy in Rome and Il Palmerino, Fiesole, Italy
• Exhibits at Montclair Museum of Art, Queens Museum, and PS I – MoMA

Advising & Collaborations:
Manzi-Schacht co-chairs the Sculptors Guild and has curated educational programs integrating NYC’s art institutions. Her work has been featured in galleries like Denise Bibro Fine Arts Gallery and Westbeth Gallery, with lectures on terracotta sculpture as exemplified in the textbook Understanding Art by Janetta Rebold Benton.