Visual Poetry: Alumni & Current Student Artists
Kat Castaneda
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kat_cast_art/
Bio:
Kat Castaneda, 33, is an artist and curator from Stockton, California. They work in both book arts and ceramics, blending traditional techniques with their own creative perspective. Over the past seven years, Kat has explored the craft of bookbinding, creating thoughtful, hand-crafted works that are both functional and artistic. Their five years in ceramics have been a journey of learning and experimentation, focusing on texture, form, and glazing to create meaningful pieces.
Kat also contributes to Stockton’s creative community as the Gallery Curator at the Goodwin Gallery, a member-run space supporting local artists. They enjoy sharing their love for book arts by teaching bookbinding classes at Tuleburg Press/The Write Place. Kat approaches their work with a sense of curiosity, aiming to find beauty and connection in their creative process.
Artist Statement:
Kat Castaneda is a Stockton-based artist known for their work in book arts and ceramics. Deeply influenced by their Mexican heritage, they explore themes of death and rebirth, often drawing on cultural symbols, traditions, and personal narratives to craft evocative pieces. Their ceramics frequently depict different stages of the life cycle, using sgraffito techniques to create intricate textures and patterns that symbolize transformation and renewal. In their book arts, Kat incorporates tactile materials, layered imagery, and poetic texts that invite introspection, reflecting on mortality, memory, and cultural identity. By intertwining these disciplines, they create immersive works that celebrate resilience, cultural legacy, and the cyclical nature of life.
Jar of Dreams (2024)
Clay/Underglaze/Glaze
3.75”H x 4”W
NFS
Whispers in the Night — by Unknown Poet
In slumber's soft embrace I see, A life unlived, a 'what if' plea.
Lost chances dance in moonlit beams, A chorus of regrets, a haunting dream.
Echoes of the Past…
Jar of Depression (2022)
Clay/Underglaze/Glaze
7”H x 4.5”W
NFS
Recurring Experience — by Kat Castaneda
Today I woke up hating myself.
The shame and guilt of how I feel inside
Finally seeping through my skin
Flooding out of my eyes for everyone to see.
I just want it to stop
I just want the quite
The Lovers (2024)
Clay/Underglaze/Glaze
12.5”H x 5.5”W x 1.5”D
NFS
Die with a Smile — by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
If the world was ending
I'd wanna be next to you
If the party was over
And our time on Earth was through
I'd wanna hold you just for a while
And die with a smile
If the world was ending
I'd wanna be next to you…
Exhibition Season:
Alumni Artists Files