Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Get a glimpse into the world of Véro the Traveling Artist + her unique Birmingham home
Reading time: 4 minutes
Véronique Vanblaere, AKA Véro the Traveling Artist, has been a prominent figure in Birmingham’s art scene since she opened Naked Art Gallery in 1998. Since then, she has played a part in some of the Magic City’s most iconic community art events.
We met Véro in her Avondale home, getting an inside look at her world and learning why she is happy to call Birmingham home.
How a traveling artist decides to make a home in Birmingham
Véro says she has always known herself to be an artist, but she began her career in advertising and commercial art, calling it “the next best thing” to fine art which felt unobtainable.
Moving from Belgium to America, she got a job as an art director at an advertising agency in Birmingham where she stayed for two years before embracing the support she felt from the local art community to pursue a career in art.
She opened Naked Art Gallery in Birmingham’s Forest Park neighborhood in 1998 and it quickly became a beloved part of the community.
“I don’t regret having the gallery. I’ve met so many amazing people and that’s how I collected all my customers who still follow me today.”
Two decades, more than 70 contributing artists and countless memories later, Véro felt a new calling that would require her full attention so she closed Naked Art Gallery in May 2019.
“After 20 years I was ready to have a little bit more time to work on art.”
For the past seven years she has been a full-time artist operating out of a two-ish bedroom home in Avondale which she calls her universe, her world and an ever-changing art project.
In Véro’s world, anything can (and should) be art
Stepping into Véro’s Avondale home is like having a peek inside her mind. It is creative, cozy, vibrant, function-oriented and entirely customized by her own hands.
From hand-laid tile to a custom bed frame with an actual tree growing out of it, a back porch mural, a loft sewing space and handmade light fixtures, Véro’s home has a personality of its own.
But despite 22 years of customization, Véro says it is a project that will never be complete.
“This [house] is a never-ending work of art. It’s constantly evolving.”
Be it the removal of popcorn ceilings, the addition of a loft bedroom over an office space or the display of countless works of art by her and other artists, her home tells a story of an artist’s ambition to integrate creativity into every aspect of life.
Véro finds inspiration in Birmingham’s art community
Even if you don’t know it, you’re probably familiar with Véro’s work in Birmingham either in the form of her art, or one of the many events she has played a role in.
The annual Artwalk festival is a prime example of Véro’s notable work in Birmingham. Not only does she participate every year, but it was her creation in 2001. She organized art walk for four years before stepping back and becoming an annual vendor.
In October 2026, Véro participated in Yonder Walls Mural Festival, adding her personal touch to a massive public art installation in Birmingham’s Parkside District. Véro describes this mural project as a major learning moment and an example of why she loves Birmingham’s creative community.
“I learned so much at this mural festival just being around artists who do that all the time…they were so nice.”
The help she got at the mural festival plus the support she felt more than 20 years ago when starting Naked Art Gallery are part of why Véro continues to call Birmingham home.
“I love to be part of the artist community here. It’s a nice place to be.”
How you can keep up with Véro the Traveling Artist:
Have you spotted Véro’s work in Birmingham? Tag @bhamnow and @vero_the_traveling_artist if you have.
