Founded in 1989 by experienced fabricator Peter Siebren Versteeg (1943–2021), Versteeg Art Fabricators LLC (VAF) specializes in large-scale sculpture fabrication. The company has collaborated with leading artists, including Ronald Bladen, Louise Bourgeois, Nancy Graves, Red Grooms, Nancy Holt, Sol LeWitt, Alexander Liberman, Roy Lichtenstein, Clement Meadmore, Beverly Pepper, Charles O. Perry, Tony Rosenthal, Will Ryman, Miriam Schapiro, Tony Smith, Eric Staller, and Tom Wesselmann.
Peter began his career in Los Angeles as an apprentice to artist Tom Holland before relocating to Connecticut, where he became head of layout at Lippincott, Inc., overseeing major projects for Robert Indiana, Claes Oldenburg, Louise Nevelson, and Lucas Samaras. He later expanded his technical expertise as a CNC programmer at United Precision before establishing VAF—originally New Haven Art Fabricators—as a trusted provider of precision fabrication for monumental sculptures.
Today, VAF is led by Peter’s children, Siebren and Emily Versteeg. Siebren, an artist known for his work in algorithmic generative art, has pieces in collections at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Emily, a Connecticut-licensed attorney, manages the company’s operations, contracts, and client relationships.
VAF’s team includes experienced fabricators Marcus Schaefer and Christopher DuBour. Marcus brings over 25 years of experience in sculpture fabrication and has exhibited his own work at venues like Hygienic Art and City-Wide Open Studios. Christopher has over a decade of experience in metalworking, specializing in welding, fabrication, and finishing. He also brings expertise in woodworking and collaborative fabrication, actively engaging with makerspaces across New England.
Robert Indiana and the Lippincott crew stand in front of the finished LOVE, 1970. Front row, left to right: Indiana, Roxanne, Toad, Bob Sanford, Peter Versteeg. Back row, left to right: Bill Rascoe, Don, Frank Viglione, Eddie Giza, Joe Lesco, Bobby Giza.
“The LOVE sculpture was reinstalled today and looks incredible! Deepest thanks to the Versteeg team for the beautiful and thoughtful restoration.”
“I feel enormously grateful to have had Peter and now you all in my life, it’s a privilege that I take very seriously.”
“Peter’s invaluable contribution to the Ronald Bladen estate and legacy cannot be overstated.”
“Thank you for believing in this project from the start. When I look at it I will always see the myriad contributions, decisions, and hands-on work from your team that made it all possible.”
Peter Versteeg and artist Louise Nevelson working at Lippincott, Inc., 1974. Photo courtesy of Lippincott Book Design.