The vibrant arts community in Vero Beach, Florida, is beautifully shaped by multifaceted creators who bring imagination and heart to the Treasure Coast. Among these inspiring local talents is Camy De Mario—an award-winning author, filmmaker, educator, and artist whose work spans multiple genres to evoke a profound sense of magic and connection.
De Mario’s creative portfolio is as diverse as it is enchanting. Her popular animated short stories, such as the Malibu and Roxie Series, leverage modern technology to spread timeless messages of tolerance, peace, and friendship. Through her lovable, anthropomorphic dog characters, she helps young audiences navigate complex emotions while providing parents with valuable teaching moments.
Drawing deep inspiration from the emotional resonance of classic animation, De Mario’s primary goal across all mediums is to cultivate a sense of wonder and build meaningful connections across all ages.
Her creative endeavors have not only captured the hearts of local readers but have also earned significant accolades on the film festival circuit. Her animated short, A Tale of Two Tails, was proudly accepted into the Vero Visions Category at the Vero Beach Film Festival, while also taking home top honors at the Palm Beach Shorts Film Festival and the Women in Film Beyond Borders Awards. The project’s success stems from a meticulous, hands-on production process where De Mario seamlessly blends her talents. When bringing a story to the screen, she:
- Animates her original children’s book illustrations using specialized software.
- Adapts the written manuscript into a compelling, formatted film script.
- Personally oversees the intricate final stages of voiceover recording and video editing.
Beyond the screen, De Mario is a prolific painter who finds pure bliss working on canvas. Employing a fluid mix of mediums, her works often serve as the visual inception for new stories. Pieces like The Fairy and the White Horse, Under The Sea showcase her whimsical, dreamlike style. She is particularly drawn to the intricate technique of Pointillism, noting that the way individual dots of color patiently merge to form a complete image perfectly reflects her approach to building meaningful stories.
Born in Milan, Italy, her artistic lineage runs exceptionally deep. She is a descendant of Carlo Chiostri, the original illustrator of the classic tale Pinocchio. Today, De Mario channels that generational creative spirit directly into the Indian River County arts scene, enriching the lives of fellow residents.
Locals and aspiring creators can frequently find her sharing her passion and expertise throughout the community by:
- Teaching engaging art classes at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
- Instructing and collaborating with members of the Vero Beach Art Club.
- Co-founding the Florida Art Chix Gallery alongside her close friend and fellow artist, Judy Burgarella.
The gallery, which originally began as a lighthearted local podcast where the duo discussed art and promoted local exhibits over a glass of wine, has blossomed into a dedicated physical space. It now serves as a community hub that supports local artists with rental spaces, offers educational classes, and continues to record podcast episodes that celebrate the Treasure Coast’s creative pulse.
As a true modern-day Renaissance woman, De Mario beautifully balances her time between painting, filmmaking, teaching, and advocating for peaceful coexistence, all while enjoying quiet poolside moments with her husband in Vero Beach. Her thriving artistic journey serves as a beautiful local reminder that the creative, wondrous child within us never truly fades.
