My interest in working with wood began to evolve when I moved into a newly-constructed home and viewed with dismay piles of wood being discarded in the process of building surrounding homes. This inspired me to combine my awareness and concern for our ecology with my desire to make art. This concept expanded to include additional surplus and re-cycled items that I could incorporate into my work, and I now build my assemblages almost exclusively with these materials. Although non-representational, my art reflects human emotions and experiences common to everyone, suggesting a mood, the glimmer of a story, or an idea that is intriguing and hopefully encourages flights of imagination. My work is largely intuitive, and I believe that the integrity of my creations, stemming from this elemental impulse, connects with those who view it. The cut paper collages are inspired by the wealth of art calendars, old books, magazines, advertisements, etc. that I have collected for over 30 years. Mostly pictorial in style, I like to suggest some sort of quasi-focused story that includes fun elements of surrealism so viewers are free to allow their own imaginations to interpret what they see.

“Ms. Villani’s work possesses strong rhythmic elements and a sophisticated use of color which reflect to a great degree her musical nature,” said Howard Wheat, owner of the former Adrian Howard Galleries in St. Petersburg, FL.

Theresa Villani has done commissions for personal clients as well as for art consultants and interior designers. Her work has been shown at Roche-Bobois in the Design Center, Washington, D.C., The Maryland Fiber Center where she had a one-woman show, and the Side Porch Gallery in Fairfax, Virginia. In Florida, her current home, she has exhibited at the Fiber Arts Institute, the Octagon Arts Center, the St. Petersburg Arts Center and in governmental centers in Tampa and Tallahassee. Several of Ms. Villani’s assemblages were selected for a nationally juried show at Artists Unlimited, Inc., in Tampa, and the Adrian Howard Galleries presented her work in two separate two-artist shows. The Pasco County Arts Center awarded her first Prize in an annual juried show where she later was invited to present a one-woman show that included forty-nine works. She was again honored there by winning the prize for Best in Category. The Leepa Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs invited her to participate in two of their annual Artists Market Showcases. The Safety Harbor Library saw her assemblages exhibited in a two-month show, and she twice exhibited also by invitation at the Palm Harbor Library.

Theresa Villani continues to pursue her career as a solo cellist, recording artist, researcher, and published editor of rare works for cello from the 17th century.