Stone Carving with Chris Pelletieri (Episode 36)

The craftsperson often toils in anonymity, in their studio or shop with little or no recognition by the public much less the press.

While these building artisans are increasingly appreciated by those professionals who practice classical design and building, by nature, shy, and publicity averse, most building artisans believe their work should speak for itself. The craftsperson creates tangible beauty for the joy of it.

Such is the case with Chris Pellettieri, a stone carver who plies his traditional trade by hand. Without CNC machines or robots, Mr. Pellettieri chisels chunks of limestone into architectural art, ornament for churches and public buildings, schools and museums.

His is a traditional analog craft at its purest and finest! His notable works include St Rita's Catholic church in Alexandria Virginia and the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Saint Divine on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

When not creating works of architectural art for clients, Mr. Pelllettieri teaches stone carving by hand to young people, at his nonprofit Pellettieri Stone Carving Academy. Here, he introduces his craft to the digital age group who, he explains, "finds joy in working with their hands to create something material."

Visit https://www.stonecarving.us to see some of Mr. Pellettieri‘s work.

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