Saratoga Clay Arts Center is honored to showcase the work of Peter Callas, a ceramic sculptor who has been working in the tradition of abstract expressionism and producing a repertoire of unique forms for 50 years. The solo exhibition, entitled “A Curious Subconscious: The Ceramic Art of Peter Callas” opens with a reception on Saturday, October 3, from 5-7pm and runs through November 14th. Callas will also be leading a 2-day hands on workshop, October 3-4.

An pioneer credited with building the first Anagama in North America, Peter Callas is considered to be one of America’s foremost authorities on this Japanese wood firing technique. Callas utilizes this arcane process and the Eastern Wabi Sabi aesthetic of imperfection and abstraction to produce a variety of work, including his signature large scale sculptures.

“I have focused on expressionist forms and the potential to incite the mind toward something beyond the technical aspects of making art, beyond the mechanical task of creating physical forms out of clay that blend both historical references and contemporary intellectual values.”

For 23 years he partnered with the preeminent American clay artist Peter Voulkos at his New Jersey kiln producing some of the most important ceramics of the 20th century. He has exhibited extensively over the last half century and his works are in over 30 museum collections worldwide. In 2021 Callas’ work will travel for two years on a national Museum tour and will be included in May 2021 in an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum.