Exhibitions
PEPE Y JOSE CALABRES: BARRO SANTO
Tipton-Ashe Gallery @ the Courthouse / 401 Ashe St., Johnson City, TN October 24 - November 21st
Pepe Calabres, Jose Calabres
ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in partnership with Language & Culture Resource Center presents Barro Santo featuring Latine ceramicists Pepe and Jose Calabres from October 22 to November 22, 2025, at the Tipton-Ashe Galleries with First Friday reception on November 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. with Ekphrastic Poetry performance by the Johnson City Poets Collective.
Barro Santo (Holy Mud) is a two-man exhibition by the father and son duo, Knoxville-based Latine ceramicists Pepe and Jose Calabres. Barro Santo foregrounds the innovative techniques and creative vessels by Pepe Calabres and contemporary sculptural forms by son Jose including the ‘Minos Bull’ from the collection of the East Tennessee History Center.
Pepe Calabres is one of Venezuela’s most distinguished artists, honored with four National Art Awards and featured in more than 150 exhibitions worldwide. His work, celebrated for its depth and mastery, forms part of prestigious collections including the Vatican and the United Nations. A visionary whose art transcends borders, Calabres has left an indelible mark on contemporary Latin American art, inspiring generations to see creation as both a cultural legacy and a universal language.
Jose Calabres is an award-winning sculptor, writer, and filmmaker whose work bridges ancient symbolism and contemporary reflection. With over two decades of experience across the arts—ranging from world-renowned festivals to Emmy-winning media projects, his creations explore identity, memory, and the human condition. Rooted in both Latin American and Appalachian cultures, his art embodies a dialogue between past and present, tradition and experimentation.
The Barro Santo exhibition is concurrent with Impresion de Cultura featuring Latinx Printmakers curated by Erick Felix and Shai Perry. The exhibitions are funded by the ETSU Student Academic Activities Committee (SAAC), Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The Tipton-Ashe Galleries are located at the Courthouse on Walnut side, 401 Ashe Street., Downtown Johnson City. Gallery hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Thursdays and Fridays 5 o 7 pm, extended hours during receptions and by appointments. For more information, scheduled visit or handicapped accommodations, please email Karlota Contreras-Koterbay via contrera@etsu.edu.
