Vera - The tifo queen

Vera Zeigler is many things: artist, conversationalist, Atlien; but she is best known as “The Tifo Queen”. Tifos are large banners and/or coordinated celebrations that fans display at the beginning of soccer matches all over the world. They can get pretty big and elaborate and Vera has made a name for herself in Atlanta by creating some of the most iconic tifos, including one that inspired the King Peach kit. We caught up with Vera to get a glimpse into her world and what makes her a champion of her craft.

Can you tell me about your background? 
I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and moved to Atlanta when I was six months old. My Father was in the military and we lived on Fort McPherson in West Atlanta and then moved to Lithonia, Georgia. Family of four: mom, dad, my older brother, and me. I grew up in Lithonia, went to Lithonia High school, and then onto the Art Institute of Atlanta and studied Graphic Design. 

What has your journey been with art?
I have always been artistic and creative! From the age of three I was always drawn to painting and legos. My mom stressed trying new things and exposing me to all sorts of stuff, so I did everything from ballet/dance, baton twirling, and cheerleading. I played softball and basketball for the longest and ventured into volleyball and soccer in high school. While doing all these activities I was still into art and creating things. I would build full replica models of rollercoasters and the Globe theater to accompany my reports and essays in high school, just to have something creative to add to the project. I chose an art school because I wanted to be engulfed in a creative atmosphere. While in college I spent the summer of 2005 in Europe and was based in Strasbourg, France, where I traveled all over Europe with my friends and other creatives. I graduated in the fall of 2007 and started my own business, Verations, where I did murals and design work. I joined the corporate world in 2010 working at Case-Mate. The in 2014 I joined Promethean and I am currently the Global Creative Director for the company. My work life is mostly graphic design but as a creative director I get the opportunity to conceptualize and direct a team of creatives.

When did you first become a soccer fan? 
I first became a soccer fan in high school. I played a little, we were not very good, but I enjoyed the sport! When in Europe I went to a few matches and adopted West Ham United as my EPL club.  The game atmosphere with the blowing bubbles and songs were an instant call to me. I am a fan of ALL ATLANTA TEAMS, so when ATL UTD was announced it was a no brainer that I was going be fan but soccer culture is more than just being a fan and I quickly became an avid supporter devoting a lot of my time to the team and fan atmosphere. 

You’re known as the ‘Tifo Queen’, can you tell me about how you went from a fan of the sport/the team, to being such an integral part of the fan experience on game days? 
I remember looking through Instagram and seeing a post by Resurgence asking if people wanted to come out and help paint the inaugural tifo. At that moment I was not even sure what a tifo was but I liked to paint and was ready for any opportunity to support the team, so I showed up! I remember meeting some of the Resurgence founders that first night and loved how open and warm the welcome was and I was immediately hooked. By the completion of the first tifo they asked if anyone had design experience and I told them I did murals and design work and that’s how it all started. I ended up designing the next tifo and the majority of the tifos that first season. Not only designing most of them, but also drawing almost every single tifo, and we did a lot that first season! The ideas for tifos can come from a simple idea or from a collaborative effort with lots of ideas being tossed around. The King Peach tifo was a simple idea based around a peach being more superior than an apple. To me that idea was not just a jab at NYC, who we were playing that match, but more of a way to exalt  Atlanta, so I put a crown and some swag on the peach and dubbed it ‘King Peach’. When I design tifos I always want to keep Atlanta first in the concept and design, even if we are making jabs at an opponent. The name Tifo Queen was given to me when i did a spot for Copa90 and it just took off from there. I love how the team has truly “united” Atlanta and has encouraged the supporter culture and given us freedom to really own and create the atmosphere. The love of this club is something I always dreamed of for Atlanta and to be an integral part of that has been a dream come true.

What are some things you love about the city of Atlanta? 
I love so much about Atlanta. I love how you can be in certain parts of the city and see trees all around you. I love that some of the best spots and places to be are in the cut and harder to find. I love the influence of culture that Atlanta creates just by being in a place where you can create freely. I always say “Atlanta is Atlanta”. We are not a city that tries to replicate other cities. We are the capital of the south and what you see is what you get. Be a part of our diverse culture and bring your gift to the city and the city will love you back. Atlanta is not perfect by any means, there needed improvements to infrastructure and there is major gentrification happening instead of building up existing communities. I love seeing the city grow but we must build the infrastructure and improve our transportation systems so we can withstand the rush of new folks coming here. 

How do you get rowdy? And what are some things that make you proud? 
Part of my match day mindset is to create a custom look all to myself mixed with team-related items and RSG swag with a smattering of glitter for each home match. Add in a few drinks and I’m ready! My Resurgence fam gets me rowdy and also makes me proud! We are a diverse group of people that know how to have a good time and give all we can to the team. What we create is organic and very real to us. We strive to give the best vibe for Atlanta and that makes me very proud.

What made you want to join a supporters group, specifically, Resurgence? 
Reading what Resurgence was about and their core values and goals is what drew me to them. What they stated was everything I wanted to see for the club and we stay true to that. What I love about being an RSG member is the people. We are Atlanta! We’re a mixture of diverse folks who come together and make things great on our own accord. We do what is true to us and what we believe in, Hail United!

Favorite places to hang out in Atlanta? 
I love to drive around Atlanta and find some of the hidden gems of the city and alternate routes to get out of traffic. I don’t have any one one place to hang, I venture to different parts of the city all the time. And I enjoy eating all types of food and love all the new tastes the city has to offer. I am always a sucker for breakfast, and I am in love with ramen at the moment - but I am open to any and everything.

Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by conversations, art, great design, travel, stories, and ideas. I love to find the kindness and connectivity that exist in the world over the detractors.

What’s something about you people would be surprised to know? 
I am an introvert.