Celebrating the Visionary Pioneer in Visual Literacy: Ricardo Viera
Ricardo Viera: A Pioneering Figure in Art Education and Diversity
Ricardo Viera, a renowned artist, curator, and scholar, left an indelible mark on the art world during his 44-year tenure at Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG). His legacy is defined by his profound impact on the university’s art program and his role in promoting contemporary art and diverse artistic voices.
Born on Dec. 15, 1945, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, Viera emigrated to the United States at the age of 17 through Operation Peter Pan. His educational journey culminated with a diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, a BFA from Tufts University, and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Viera was a respected professor at Lehigh, teaching courses in museum and curatorial studies, special topics in the history of photography, public art, and visual thinking strategies. His dedication to education extended beyond the classroom, as he mentored and inspired countless students, including Stacie Brennan '03, LUAG’s inaugural curator of education, who considered him a mentor and advisor.
As a curator, Viera was an innovator, curating several milestone shows such as Outside Cuba/Fuera Cuba, Cuba/USA: The First Generation, and American Voices: Latino Photography in the U.S.. His work brought attention to underrepresented artists and challenged conventional art narratives. During his tenure, he established a nationally recognized collection of Latino and Latin American works on paper, photography, and video at LUAG. Viera's efforts significantly enhanced the visibility of Latin American and Caribbean art in the academic and art-world communities.
In addition to his work at LUAG, Viera served as a consulting curator for the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives and was involved with various professional organizations. He was an expert in outsider art and a major supporter of National Art Exhibitions of the Mentally Ill (NAEMI).
Viera's influence extended beyond the art world, as he grew the university's art holdings to over 15,000 works. His last exhibition at Lehigh, credited by professor Lucy Gans as a success, marked a fitting end to a career that had a profound impact on the university.
After retiring from Lehigh in 2018, Viera continued to support the arts, offering his expertise and guidance to his colleagues. His passing on April 1, 2023, at his home in Miami Beach, was felt deeply by the Lehigh community and the broader arts world.
A memorial service for Ricardo Viera will be organized by Lehigh and will be held later this year in the Lehigh Valley due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gifts in memory of Ricardo Viera can be made at www.luag.org/support or by contacting [email protected]. The funds will support photographers and Latin American artists.
William Crow, director of LUAG, expressed gratitude for Ricardo Viera’s half-century career at the university Art Galleries. Brennan, too, is grateful to continue promoting Viera's legacy at Lehigh. Professor Gans described Viera as a colleague who treated her with respect and a friend who offered support without judgment.
Viera's legacy as a pioneering figure in art education, diversity, and cultural promotion lives on at Lehigh University Art Galleries and in the hearts of those he inspired.
[1] Date of death is 2023, not 2021 as stated in the bullet points. [4] Viera passed away in 2023, not retired in 2023.
- Ricardo Viera's legacy continues to have a profound impact on education and cultural promotion, especially in the realm of art, as his work at Lehigh University Art Galleries fostered a nationally recognized collection focused on Latino and Latin American artists.
- Recognizing Ricardo Viera's role as a pioneer in art education and diversity, gifts in his memory can be made to support photographers and Latin American artists at Lehigh University Art Galleries, ensuring his influence lives on in the development of future creators.
