Gerard Caliste is a painter and mixed media artist who describes his organic process as coming from his subconscious.  The narrative and figurative elements of his work evoke his hometown New Orleans and the complexity of the human soul. Caliste says that he connects to his expressive freedom in part because of his work with youth as a full-time visual arts teacher in Houston. With this grant, Caliste is seizing an opportunity to nurture his own practice by establishing a studio gallery in a commercial strip of The Heights neighborhood. This space provides him with an environment to work large scale and the chance to connect more with his community. Caliste is working towards his next big project: a collaborative installation in Stockholm with his Swedish cousin and music producer Marvin Caliste Lindstrom. They are creating an experience that melds music and space – slated to premiere Spring 2019.

Caliste attended Savannah College of Art and Design as presidential scholar and earned his BFA in 2001. His work has been exhibited at the Lois Lambert Gallery of Functional Art in Santa Monica, Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator in Miami and Prospect.1 and Prospect. 4 satellite exhibitions in New Orleans.  His work is in the private collections of high profile people including Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt.

Caliste participated in the YAYA young artists’ guild 1994-1997.