!con: “River of Paper”

River of Paper highlights the beauty of North Carolina’s freshwater ecosystems, specifically focusing on the delicate complexity of our estuaries. Made from recycled magazines, it is a sustainable, upcycled piece of artwork. 

This !con focuses on the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, the second-largest estuarine system in the United States. It represents the brackish “nursery of the sea”, where salt marshes and seagrass meadows provide vital habitat for blue crabs, red drum, and migratory waterfowl (among other species). By using discarded magazines, waste is upcycled into a representation of the swirling currents and tidal pulses that define these coastal ecosystems. As the paper “flows” across the !con sculpture, it reminds us that these fragile estuaries are essential filters for our environment, requiring constant stewardship to preserve their immense biodiversity and natural wonder. 

Constance “Coco” Sartor is a self-taught collage artist and muralist based in Charlotte, originally from Florida. With a background in marine biology, her curiosity for the natural world drives her creative vision. Inspired by unique animals, plants, and ecosystems, she transforms recycled magazines into intricate, sustainable collages. Her passion for the natural environment extends to her large-scale mural work, where she has painted murals at locations such as Mote Marine Aquarium, Yellowstone National Park and Bonehenge Whale Center. Through her artwork, Sartor blends her scientific knowledge with her artistic expression, creating pieces that help advocate for the appreciation and protection of the natural world.

Instagram: @cuddlefishdesignco

Part of !cons 2026