Vanessa Compton is a thought-provoking western-focused collage artist known for her dynamic approach to social issues and layered narratives. Raised in the hills of Vermont by a singer-songwriter father and artist mother, she began creating art early, while also studying cello and piano. As a teen, she performed in choirs across America and Europe, exploring diverse musical traditions. Vanessa’s passion for world music led her to Dakar, Senegal, to study the kora’s influence on hip hop, and Kumasi, Ghana, where she explored Highlife and palm wine guitar.
In 2005, Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from CU Boulder, focusing on ceramic sculpture. These diverse artistic experiences, combined with her hands-on exploration of sculpture, naturally led her to collage—an art form practiced by her grandmother. Over the past 15 years, Vanessa has fully embraced collage as her medium, using it to craft intricate and socially charged narratives. Her collages and sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the US and collected internationally. She has received numerous fellowships, including from The Brinton Museum, Vermont Studio Center, and Jentel Arts. Vanessa currently lives and works in Burlington, VT.
