about
bio
Cora Van Vleet is an interdisciplinary artist based in Saint Petersburg Florida, repurposing recycled textiles into dynamic sculptures and multi-media pieces. Initially trained as a painter, Van Vleet attained her BFA from the New College of Florida in 2022, with a concentration in conceptual sculpture.
Van Vleet further developed her dimensional skills under master sculptor Mark Aeling, at MGA Sculpture Studio. There, Van Vleet applied her welding, modeling, carving, casting, and assembling skills to create large scale public pieces of art installed across the nation. She has since opened her own studio where she experiments with recycled textiles to create intricate forms motivated to stimulate her audience to reconsider habits of consumerism. In doing so, Van Vleet's work encourages viewers to reflect on the consequences such habits have on our precious environment.
Select works from Van Vleet's series of fabric sculptures have been featured in exhibitions from our own central Florida, to the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie Missouri.
work
Van Vleet’s work explores the human condition through its evolving relationship with the natural world. Her artistic practice examines the disconnection between modern civilization and the Earth, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity’s place within a larger universal balance. Grounded in a deep reverence for the planet, her work is both a celebration of nature’s beauty and a warning of its fragility.
Inspired by a profound sense of gratitude for the creative power inherent in the natural world, Van Vleet creates imagery that evokes both awe and urgency. Her paintings and mixed-media works often depict the delicate tension between resilience and destruction, reminding us of the vital need to protect what we cherish.
Sustainability plays a central role in her practice. Van Vleet frequently incorporates recycled textiles and salvaged materials into her work as a way to reduce environmental impact and draw attention to the consequences of consumer waste. These materials serve as both medium and message—embodying the themes of renewal, preservation, and interconnectedness that run throughout her work.
Her interdisciplinary approach spans painting, sculpture, and digital design, and she remains continually engaged in exploring new materials and techniques. Through this expansive and environmentally conscious lens, Van Vleet invites viewers into a dialogue about beauty, vulnerability, and our shared responsibility to care for the world around us.
current projects
I am currently developing Nine Muses, my personal brand that not only showcases my professional work but also serves as a platform for commissions and merchandise.
I am an educator at Mt. Zion Academy, where I teach elementary level art. The school’s program currently lacks the funding to offer dedicated arts education; we are working to fill that gap by providing creative opportunities for students to engage with the arts (collective effort with thr Warehouse Arts District Association).
