“Painting and drawing has become a way to express my inner feelings with shapes, lines, and color. I find as much interest in creating abstract paintings or drawings as I do in the human form. What remains constant is the attempt to master illusion without making art that is realistic to the human eye, and to feel an emotion, whether it be joyous or somber. Because in a world of full of confusion and chaos, there is still beauty. I want my art to speak about life in a contemporary aesthetic way that will allow the viewer the freedom to come to their own conclusions. For contemporary art must speak to the times from the depths of the artist’s soul.”

— valeria marcus

Revenge, Oil on canvas, 2023

Amaka, Oil on canvas, 2023

Valeria is a dedicated artist, advocate for child abuse and domestic violence awareness, and a survivor of these adversities. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Moore College of Art and Design, where her senior thesis at the Northern Home for Children marked the beginning of her in-depth exploration of child abuse. Her journey and work were featured in Moore College of Art and Design's 2018 Alumni Moore Magazine.

Throughout her career, Valeria has received numerous accolades recognizing her contributions to community service and the arts. In 2024, she was honored with the Black History Academy Award for Community Service by Asbury United Methodist Church. Other notable awards include the Women in the Arts Award in 2023, the Rose Golden Award for Women’s History Month presented by Councilwoman Latoya Dunston in 2021, and Avanzar’s SAAM Leadership Award in April 2019. She was also the recipient of the Community Service Award from the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club, Inc. of Atlantic City in 2018. Additionally, Valeria received two New Jersey Senate Commendations from Senator Chris A. Brown in 2018 and 2019.

In her role as a speaker, Valeria participated in the New Jersey Courts Domestic Violence Conference on July 16, 2018, held at Stockton University. She is also the author of Resolution 217, which established April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in a proclamation passed on March 16, 2016, and reiterated in 2018 by the City of Atlantic City.

Valeria’s artistic achievements have also garnered significant recognition. In 2022, the Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton University acquired two of her oil paintings for their permanent collection. Moreover, she was awarded a teaching grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in both 2023 and 2024.