James Salaiz ’98

For someone who was drawn to Cornell because of One Course At A Time, James Salaiz ’98’s art career has called upon his ability to juggle quite a lot at once. Last fall, for example, his work was on exhibit in London, Paris, Tokyo and Mount Vernon, all in the same month.

Salaiz, who majored in ceramics and photography, credits Professor Doug Hanson as significantly shaping his outlook on life. “He was one of the catalysts for the path I decided to pursue as an artist, helping me to build the foundation for my career as a ceramicist, and Professor Tony Plaut helped me refine my eye and aesthetic through photography. I was honored to be part of Doug’s show, I felt like my artistic life had come full circle at that exact moment,” he says.

The Cornell exhibit meant a lot personally, but the other exhibits were huge coups for him professionally. He was asked to exhibit in London, Paris, and Tokyo by Adrian Joffe, head of the fashion label Commes des Garcons.

“It was a thrilling moment and allowed me the opportunity to travel to London and Paris,” he says.

Saliaz has a strong appreciation for his liberal arts education at Cornell. “It’s very important to be able to discuss your work intelligently and convey the story you are trying to tell.”