Barbara Rocco grew up in New York City.  She has always had an affinity for art and design.  She received her BA from Queens College in Fine Arts studying under such notables as Richard Serra, Charles Cajori and Herbert Aach.  Upon graduation she began teaching art in a New York City public school, all the while continuing to paint and exhibit her work.  Barbara continued her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated summa cum laude with an AAS in Fashion Design.  She then embarked on a long and successful career as a fashion designer in New York City.

Many years later, desiring to explore a new medium, she took a ceramics class at Nassau Community College with ceramic artist, Bill Shillalies.  This experience led her to Adelphi University, where she became the graduate assistant for the ceramics and sculpture departments while earning her MA in Studio Art.

Her sculptures won Best in Show in the 2010 Juried Student Biennial.  In 2011 she was invited to participate in the Adelphi Authors and Artists exhibition at the Swirbul Library Gallery, Adelphi University.