At first glance, Neno Villamor’s freestanding cats and mermaids appear to be modeled or carved from conventional materials. In fact, they are made from paper—cast, dried, assembled, and carefully painted. “My freestanding sculptures of Kitties and Mermaids are an extension of the storytelling in my bas-relief wall art,” Villamor explains.
Each sculpture begins as a clay figure modeled over an armature. Villamor then creates a multipart mold, into which she presses wet sheets made from ... view more »
At first glance, Neno Villamor’s freestanding cats and mermaids appear to be modeled or carved from conventional materials. In fact, they are made from paper—cast, dried, assembled, and carefully painted. “My freestanding sculptures of Kitties and Mermaids are an extension of the storytelling in my bas-relief wall art,” Villamor explains.
Each sculpture begins as a clay figure modeled over an armature. Villamor then creates a multipart mold, into which she presses wet sheets made from her own blend of paper fibers. Once dry, the paper forms are removed and assembled into a remarkably lightweight sculpture that preserves the expressive contours of the original.
“Making a mold allows me to create different versions as limited editions,” Villamor says. It also enables her to customize individual figures. Although the sculptures may share an underlying form, each develops its own personality through color, pattern, and finishing details.
Villamor’s practice also encompasses vessels, boxes, and containers. “Maybe it’s the idea of finding a treasure inside,” she says, “or perhaps a beautifully decorated interior becomes a treasure in its own right.” Constructed from upcycled materials such as industrial paper cores and packaging-tape rolls, these discarded objects find new life as treasures—or as holders for them.
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Opening Reception:
First Friday, August 5, 2026 from 5-8PM, light refreshments will be served.
356 N Main St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
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Edgewater Gallery is an artist collective currently celebrating our 23nd year in business. The gallery is always staffed by one of the artists and we welcome you to come in, meet one of us, and talk about what we’ve created. We have a selection of works that include painting, photography, ceramics, wood bowls and tables and mixed media works.
Edgewater Gallery is open from 11 to 5 daily (closed Tuesdays).
707 964-4668 https://edgewater-gallery.com
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