“We are committed to preserving the stone carving tradition—our passion is renewed by the joy we feel when we introduce these ancient techniques to all people.”
Chris Pellettieri, founder
Photo: Robert F. Rogriguez
our mission
The Pellettieri Stonecarvers’ Academy a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to offering training in the traditional techniques of stone carving and promoting awareness and appreciation of stone carving.
Since 2015, we’ve been waking people up to the power within themselves to transform blocks of stone into beautiful sculptures by channeling the energy of their hands and minds through a set of methods and techniques that connect us to ancient wisdom.
Our PLan
The Academy will offer programs tailored to the needs of educational institutions, veterans and community youth organizations, specialized camps, etc., with whom we will form partnerships to fund their programs.
We will continue to offer programs funded directly by Academy donors and fees from the participants.
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS
Mather High School/National Park Service Partnership Program
Over the course of the 2022-23 school year, we introduced over 150 students from the Stephen T. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School to stone carving during weekly work sessions on Governors Island. After experiencing an introductory session, many students were hungry for more. During the February break, we were able to hold a two week, full time program for eight promising carvers. We even created an arch! Over spring break, another group of 7 got to dive deeper into carving, and then during the summer vacation we had an ambitious four-week program. This partnership continues, and today we are working with Mather graduates who are now college students, and who we introduced to stone carving three years ago. The National Park Service is providing the funding for this endeavor plus the idyllic workspace.
The Met Cloisters Museum Partnership Program
The Met Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, has the finest collection of European Medieval architectural sculptures in the USA. We are proud that we have been invited several times to enrich visitors’ experiences by demonstrating the skills and techniques that were used almost 1000 years ago to create these masterpieces. We even give visitors of all ages a chance to try stone carving themselves.
NYC Department of Education Partnership Program
In summer 2022, we partnered with the City of New York, running a two week stone carving camp. Six highly motivated teenagers from all over NYC met daily to learn the art of stone carving through a series of challenging projects. We repeated this highly successful program in 2023 and 2024. Three of the alumni of these programs are still carving stone with us.
Other Notable Partnerships
Green-Wood Cemetery Stone Conservation Training Program
Riverdale Country School
Dalion School
Academy for Teachers
The Institute of Classical Architecture and Arts
Open House New York
New York Restoration Project
