Peter Morales is a sculptor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota working out of Balamstudios

Balam (or Bolom) is a Maya language word for jaguar. Peter’s first work of public art in 2001 was a The Jaguar Throne, inspired by pre-Columbian art.

What has Peter been up to since then?

2024 Cleaning, painting and reinstalling EggSail Saga (206” x 144” x 72”). NE Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2023-2024 Work on progress. Private Commission. Balamstudios, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

2022 Swan Bench Limestone and Teak. Private commission. Saint Paul, Minnesota

2021 Three Fishes/Three Rivers Bench Eastview Recreational Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2019 The Fruits of Health Granite, gabbro, (216” x 84” x 60”) Archetypal symbol of knowledge and health carved on two columns to celebrate the construction of the new Health and Science Alliance Center for Saint Paul College. Commissioned under the Percent for Art Act.

2018 Celebrate! Granite, (20” x 36” x 20”) Friendly ambiguous amphibian with symbols and letters on its surface for decoding a message on the sidewalk leading to the sculpture. Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

2018 Interlacing Tales Cardboard, wood, glue, paint (120’ x 6” x 4”/ 48” x 48” x 4”/ 36” x 48” x 4”) A series of relief murals. A collaboration with students from Northeast Middle School and Franconia Sculpture Park made possible by a grant from MSAB

2017 Three Galliformes at the Lab Granite, (approximately 52" x 54" x 90"). Three birdlike figures. Balamstudios St Paul, Minnesota. Work done for the University of Minnesota

2013 EggSail Saga. Stone, cast iron, steel, stucco. (206” x 144” x 72”) Boat for an adventurous, antennae'd egg. Franconia Sculpture Park. Franconia, Minnesota

2013 Pink Limestone Bench. Limestone and metal bench (36” x 24” 60”). The bench features a stylized tree of life for the Mother Baby Center that links Abbott and Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis, Minnesota

2012 Light, Water, Grow, Disseminate. Glass, (30” X 30”). Four sets of four cast glass panels for outdoor fountains, Saint Paul College, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2009 Water of the Doodem Spirits. Granite. 72” x 30” x 48”. Drinking fountain commissioned by the City of Minneapolis. Minneapolis, Minnesota

2008 Thought # 1/ Gabbro. (90” x 31” x 19”). Abstract Venus figure. Franconia Sculpture Park. Franconia, Minnesota

2007 Here Together: Black & White Murals. Wood, glue and paint. Five murals: 100” x 14”, 100” x 14”, 50” x 14”, 198” x 8” and 80” x 3.5”. With J. Michell, and students at International Academy-LEAP. Commissioned by Saint Paul Public Schools and Public Art Saint Paul. IA-LEAP SPPS, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2007 Be Here Now. Granite. 52” x 84” x 48”. Memorial for fallen officer Shawn Silvera. Commissioned by the City of Lino Lakes. Lino Lakes, Minnesota

2007 Amble. Mankato Limestone. 64” x 30 x 24”. Work for city of Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

2006 Here Together: Dragon Mural. Foam, plaster and paint. Mural 300” x 36” x 4". With students at International Academy-LEAP. Commissioned by Saint Paul Public Schools and Minnesota! Rocks! International Academy-LEAP SPPS, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2006 Paisley Perch. Mankato limestone. 52” x 102” x 20”. Commissioned by Minnesota Rocks! International Stone Carving Symposium, for the City of Saint Paul. Saint Paul, Minnesota

2006 Cajibracán. Stromatolite. 60” x 36” x 48”. Commissioned by Minnesota Rocks! International Stone Carving Symposium, for the City of Saint Paul. Hamline Park. Saint Paul, Minnesota

2005 Place for three Friends. Granite boulder seating, 144” x 36” x 29”. With Landscape Architect R. Flanagan, seating for the Discovery Garden at Alpine Park. Ramsey, Minnesota

2004 Baptismal Font, Altar, Pulpit and Processional Cross. Bronze and granite, dimensions variable. Faith Lutheran Church. Becker, Minnesota

2004 Book Benches. Indiana limestone. Dimensions variable. 6 book shaped benches Commissioned by the City of Wayzata for the Wayzata Public Library for the Children’s Reading Garden. Wayzata, Minnesota

2001 Jaguar Throne. Kasota limestone. 28" x 84" x 36". Commissioned by Public Art Saint Paul for Western Sculpture Park. Saint Paul, Minnesota

Related Work Experience

2004-present Architectural Stone Fabricator, Balamstudios, Saint Paul, Minnesota

2006-2007 Stone Sculpture Instructor. Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Wayzata, Minnesota

1992-2007 Assistant Sculptor. For various artists. Assistance in large public art projects, gallery pieces and large outdoor sculpture. Various media including: stone, bronze and other metals, wood, glass, polystyrene, masonry, and terrazzo.

Education

1993 M. A. Hispanic Literatures and Linguistics. University of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minnesota

1992 Welding Certificate Dunwoody Institute. Welding program. Minneapolis, Minnesota

1986 B. A. Biology. Ripon College. Ripon, Wisconsin

Provenance

Born and raised in Guatemala, Central America. Citizen of the United States.