Milo Vissari
Portland, Oregon
Milo Vassari began sculpting in his 50s, inspired by his Italian heritage. In 2020 he retired from stonemasonry to become a professional artist.
MessageMilo Vassari is a sculptor who discovered his passion for art later in life, beginning his journey in his 50s as a personal creative pursuit. He was very good at drawing as a child and wanted to go into art but instead pursued a career in stonemasonry. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, he was always drawn to the permanence of stone—its ability to hold history, endure time, and tell stories long after its creator has passed. His Italian ancestry, many generations back, played a role in this fascination; though his family had been in the U.S. for years, the legacy of Italian master carvers, from the Renaissance to ancient Rome, always loomed large in his imagination.Though he had long admired classical sculpture and dabbled in carving as a hobby, it wasn’t until the pandemic in 2020 that he dedicated himself fully to his craft. With newfound time and focus, he refined his technique, exploring the interplay of form, texture, and emotion in his sculptures.
Drawing inspiration from his Italian heritage and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Milo works primarily in stone and clay, creating pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary themes. Since stepping into the professional art world, he has been steadily gaining recognition, exhibiting his work in local galleries and connecting with collectors.
As he is in his first few years of selling his work professionally, Milo remains committed to continuous learning and experimentation, embracing his artistic journey with passion and curiosity.
Statement
I carve to honor time, memory, and human connection. My work emerges from a lifelong fascination with stone—its permanence, resilience, and ability to hold stories across centuries. Though I spent most of my life as a stonemason, it wasn’t until my 50s that I fully embraced sculpture as my true calling. The pandemic in 2020 gave me the space to dedicate myself to this craft, transforming my years of technical experience into a deeply personal artistic pursuit.
Inspired by both classical traditions and contemporary themes, my sculptures explore the interplay of form, texture, and emotion. My Italian ancestry—stretching back generations—connects me to a lineage of master carvers, while the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest shape my approach to composition and material.
Each piece I create is a dialogue between past and present, permanence and fragility. Whether carving in marble, limestone, or clay, my goal is to evoke a sense of timelessness—sculptures that feel both ancient and immediate, as if they have always existed, waiting to be unearthed.
-Milo Vassari, 2025
© 2025 Milo Vassari. All rights reserved. | Explore more at www.milovassari.com | Follow on Instagram: @milovassari
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