Bio
Salvatore Pecoraro’s career as a California artist and teacher spanned over five decades. With an early impulse to both teach and create art, Pecoraro attended the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1953 to 1957. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Art from San Francisco State University in 1966.
Beginning as a painter, he strived to be innovative in his work. In the late 1960s he established himself in the San Francisco Bay Area with the debut of a series of 16 large acrylic paintings featuring stylish female faces combined with geometric forms and clouds and rainbows, in a series called Pinole.
In 1970 he created the ambitious 365 Skies project, which garnered much attention from the art world and in the press. 365 Skies 1970 was made up of 365 specially-constructed 1-foot-square painted vacuum-formed styrene panels. Pecoraro took a color slide photograph of each day of 1970 at different times and places all over California. The slide was used as the reference for creating an airbrushed painting on the 1x1 styrene panel.
When all 365 skies are assembled in calendar order vertically, the work was 7 feet high by 52 feet wide, depicting a sky for each day of the year in chronological order. Massive in size, it was exhibited in its full glory numerous times through the years, including in La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, Oakland Museum of Art, Triton Museum of Art, and numerous private galleries.
Throughout the early 1970s, he also created many large and small airbrushed sky paintings that were exhibited and collected widely.
In 1976 Pecoraro introduced his Prismatic Light Series, a body of seven large airbrushed acrylic paintings with vivid colors, shapes, and objects, highlighting various light sources from spectrum prisms.
This work then transformed into 3-D constructivist type wall pieces known as the Prismatic Construction Series, where he created 100 works from late 1976 to 1982.
Pecoraro travelled to Italy in 1983 with the idea of creating new wall constructions in marble. This experience exploded into a 14-year quest to combine his painting skills with this new exposure to the world of sculpture. The issues of architecture, construction and ritual in remembrance of antiquity have a part in the ordering of time and space in his sculptural works. The assemblage of broken and carved edges against the clean-cut of machined edges provided contrast balancing the mass with the fragments, creating a fractured symmetry.
Over the next decades he produced many floor, pedestal, and wall pieces in marble, bronze, cast stone, copper, and glass.
He was commissioned to create numerous monumental freestanding sculptures, indoor and outdoor fountains, and large wall pieces for corporations, private residences, and public places.
Between 1988 and 1990 Pecoraro created the Archaeo-Techtonic series of 15 sculptures. This body of work consisted of pieces made of cast stone, cast bronze, marble, brass and Plexiglas.
“I have always felt the need to express a contemporary and innovative idea using new materials and technologies that were available. Although this was part of a Twentieth-Century progressiveness, I always had a need to sum up the best parts of thousands of years of art making in a ‘this century’ manner. Like some artists, my work needed continuity to the past — my own past, and the present — as a kind of validation. I guess one could say my work pays homage to the Twentieth Century at the moment rather than in retrospect.”
– Salvatore Pecoraro
In 1997 Pecoraro resumed his initial love for painting by beginning a new series titled the Branciforte Constructs. The body of work consists of low- and high-relief textured wall constructions with acrylic paint on wood paneling and mixed media.
In conjunction with this was a series of freestanding slate posts with both painted and sand blasted surfaces. His inspiration for the series flowed from a love of creating realistic and non-objective art utilizing a variety of technologies and media.
Between 2000 and 2001, Pecoraro created the First Encore series of acrylic paintings. This series consists of more than 100 one-foot-square mixed-media paintings on raised wood panels.
In the early 2000s he also entered into the world of digital giclée printing and released limited-edition prints from the Branciforte Constructs and First Encore paintings series.
To celebrate the 36th Anniversary of his 365 Skies 1970, Pecoraro also released an open edition giclée print based on this massive work of art. Please refer to the giclée print section to review all of the available prints.
Pecoraro’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries nationwide and is part of many corporate, private, and public art collections. His works are also part of the permanent collections of several museums including Oakland, San Jose, and La Jolla in California.
Salvatore Pecoraro passed away in 2025 at the age of 88. His estate is run by his family with the goal of ensuring his legacy is remembered by the historical record, former students, friends and associates, and family far and wide.
Press
Salvatore Pecoraro Obituary
Santa Cruz Sentinel · March 9, 2025
365 Skies (All at Once)
NBC Bay Area · August 20, 2013
A Journey with an Edge: The Triton Museum of Art Presents Salvatore Pecoraro
ArtDaily.org · July 19, 2013
The Triton Museum of Art Presents Salvatore Pecoraro
Press Release · July 2013
Salvatore Pecoraro’s Entire 365 Skies 1970 Series Exhibited for First Time in Over 30 Years
Press Release · July 2013
A Sculpture for the Ages
San Jose Mercury News /
Oakland Tribune /
Contra Costa Times, September 8, 2012
Changing the landscape
La Voz · June 13, 2005 · by Vadim Yaport
Contemporary Eclat (
PDF)
Architectural Digest, September 1990 · by Joan Chatfeild-Taylor · pgs. 144–145
Pecoraro Sculpture Stays Earthbound
San Jose Mercury News · June 14, 1990 · by Dorthy Burkhart · pg. G6
Structural Shapes within a Frame
San Francisco Chronicle · June 2, 1990 · by Kenneth Baker · pg. C6
Commission Section
Sculpture Magazine · January/February 1989 · pg. 80
Cupertino’s Artistic Touch
San Jose Mercury News · February 1988 · by Bernard Bauer
Plexiglas Art Places Emphasis on Environment (
PDF)
Alexandria Daily Town Talk · June 25, 1982 · by Donna Brown
Pecoraro Knows the Possibilities (
PDF)
Chicago Sun Times · May 21, 1982 · by Harold Haydon
Oral history interview with Esther Robles and Robert Robles, 1981 August 24–31Smithsonian
· Archives of American Art — The Smithsonian’s 1981 oral-history interview with influential Los Angeles gallerists Esther and Robert Robles specifically discusses Sal, his sky paintings, and the creation and exhibition of
365 Skies 1970.
Constructivism with a Touch of the Poetic (PDF)
San Jose Mercury News · April 24, 1980 · by Dorothy Burkhart
Portrait From Solei German radio interview · Hamburg, Germany · 1980
Art Walk — Review of Anhalt-Barnes Gallery
Los Angeles Times, October 1979 · by William Wilson
Prismatic Investigations (PDF)
Artweek · February 24, 1979 · by Erin Goodwin
Pecoraro Wall Pieces Integrate Art, Science (PDF)
Palo Alto Times · June 9, 1978 · by Joanne Dickenson
Art Walk — Review of Jacqueline Anhalt Gallery
Los Angeles Times · October 21, 1977 · by Nancy Marmer
Pecoraro: A Peninsula Artist Thriving on Conflict (PDF)
Peninsula Magazine · April 1977 · by Gwenda Klein · p. 41
Otis Art Institute
Art News · Vol. 75, No. 1, January 1976 · by Elizabeth Perimutter · p. 68
More Space for the Showing
San Francisco Chronicle · October 23, 1975 · by Alfred Frankenstein
Aurora of Knowns and Unknowns
Los Angeles Times · November 23, 1975 · by Henry J. Seldis
Interview by Joan Marlow
Currant · Vol. 1, No. 4 · October / November 1975 · p. 34
Pecoraro’s 365 Skies Will Stagger the Mind (PDF)
The Aspen Times · August 14, 1975 · by Paula Childs
Esther Robles Gallery (PDF)
Los Angeles Times · October 10, 1975 · review by Henry J. Seldis
Clouds
San Jose Mercury News · March 4, 1973 · by Mary Gottschalk
Art Walk — Review of Esther Robles Gallery (PDF)
Los Angeles Times · May 25, 1973 · by William Wilson
Precisionists at Occidental
Los Angeles Times · September 1973 · by William Wilson
New Realism Exhibit (PDF)
San Francisco Chronicle · February 24, 1972 · by Alfred Frankenstein
Speaking of Art
Minneapolis Tribune · May 14, 1972 · by Mike Steele
Institute Marks Centennial
Oakland Tribune · January 1971 · by Miriam Dungan Cross
John Bolles Gallery (PDF)
Artforum · Vol. IX, No. 5 · January 1971 · review by Knute Stiles, p. 85
365 Skies
Artweek, April 3, 1971 · La Jolla Museum
Where To Find the Skyscape (PDF)
San Francisco Chronicle · November 1971 · by Thomas Albright
William Sawyer Gallery: Bright Skies, Poetic Images (PDF)
San Francisco Progress · November 3, 1971 · by Prudence Juris
Pecoraro Reflects New Lyricism (PDF)
Contra Costa Times · April 19, 1970 · by Esther Bailes
No Soap Mars These Windows at Halloween (PDF)
Chicago Sunday Tribune · October 30, 1949
Collections
La Jolla Museum of Art, La Jolla, CA
Metromedia West KNTV, Los Angeles, CA
Edwin Janss, Los Angeles, CA
Radislav Suntar, Los Angeles, CA
H.B. Thornton, Santa Barbara, CA
Marchand Epstein, San Francisco, CA
The Athenian School, Danville, CA
Century Bank of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Bank of America Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
PG&E, San Francisco, CA
Dr. George Semel, Los Angeles, CA
W. Nicholas, Los Angeles, CA
Systems Control, Inc., Palo Alto, CA
Wendy & Jack Barker, Aspen, CO
Home Savings & Loan, San Francisco, CA
Pettet, Evers & Miller, San Francisco, CA
Esther & Bob Robles, Los Angeles, CA
Jeffrey Bucher, Los Angeles, CA
L. Miller, Los Angeles, CA
Ken Travey, Los Angeles, CA
Louise Heyn, Los Angeles, CA
Marge Fasman, Los Angeles, CA
James Schilt, San Francisco, CA
De Anza College, Cupertino, CA
Judith Gelatt, San Francisco, CA
Rolm Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
Jo Wolfenberger, Walnut Creek, CA
Jacqueline Adams, Los Gatos, CA
Donald F. Fraser, Los Gatos, CA
Grace Polly, San Francisco, CA
Lloyd Cunningham, Hillsborough, CA
Kathy & David Woolsey, Orinda, CA
Ed Ames, Beverly Hills, CA
Edith Maxwell, Hillsborough, CA
Dr. Randell Vollertson, Rochester, MN
Richard R. Woods, Aspen, CO
W.B. McCarter, Houston, TX
Jan Brown, Aspen, CO
Tom Bruggeman, Aspen, CO
Morris Taylor, Aspen, CO
Oakland Museum of Art, Oakland, CA
Janne Singmaster, Rye, NY
San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
G. Beaton, San Francisco, CA
M.B. Wilson, Basalt, CO
United States Leasing Corp., San Francisco, CA
Fluror Engineers & Constructors, Irvine, CA
M.A. Janssen, Menlo Park, CA
Bank of Rome, San Francisco, CA
Robert Larousek, Elk Grove Village, IL
Marten Cohen, Dallas, TX
Baxter Brinkman, Dallas, TX
Leonard Riggs, Dallas, TX
Dr. & Mrs. A. Rutner, Los Altos, CA
Gordon Stulberg, Los Angeles, CA
Nancy & John Merryman, Palo Alto, CA
Marvin Rosenberg, Chicago, IL
Jack Burger, Chicago, IL
Mr. Galarza, Chicago, IL
Crocker Bank, San Jose, CA
Koll Center, San Jose, CA
David Heller, Chicago, IL
Dr. John Gorney, Wheaton, IL
Stuart Weiss, Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie Jones, Chicago, IL
Julie & Richard Finkelstein, Chicago, IL
Betty Linderman, Santa Clara, CA
Dr. Alexander Ellenberg, San Jose, CA
Dr. Ben Halpren, Atherton, CA
Kathy Debs, Sausalito, CA
Ron Clybome, Bluefield, WV
Donna & Tom Ward, Aspen, CO
George Rossenthal, Los Angeles, CA
Dee Wick, Aspen, CO
Southeast Bank Corp., Miami, FL
Harlan Lee, Venice, CA
Darla Barclay, Palo Alto, CA
David Takomoto, Los Altos, CA
Drew Gibson, Woodside, CA
Sanford Koltun, Chicago, IL
Victoria & Harold Rowe, Chicago, IL
Ingrid Nudleman, Los Gatos, CA
Alma & Marvin Glickman, Rye., NY
Dr. Sanford H. Gaynor, Los Angeles, CA
Plaza Bank of Commerce, San Jose, CA
Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA
John Levy & Heidi Mason, Palo Alto, CA
Ed Fredricks, Los Angeles, CA
Sandra & Richard Radke, Hinsdale, IL
First Bank of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Continental Bank, Chicago, IL
David Nichols, Chicago, IL
Schafer, Walker & Murphy Law Firm, San Rafael, CA
Laura Wheeler, Aspen, CO
Bradley Calkins, Denver, CO
Richard Scales, Aspen, CO
Marjorie & Richard Chronister, Los Angeles, CA
E. Bert-Hannum-Voltz, San Francisco, CA
Elane & Norton Sarnoff, Northbrook, IL
Joanne & Larry Lichtenstein, Highland Park, IL
Steve Chase, Rancho Mirage, CA
Mary & Carl Combs, Cupertino, CA
Ken Rodrigues, Los Gatos, CA
Hughes Aircraft Co., Manhattan Beach, CA
Saks Fifth Ave., Houston, TX
Nancy Stewart, San Jose, CA
John Houchin, Santa Barbara, CA
Trammell Crow Co., Pasadena, CA
Bob Parsons, San Jose, CA
Jane & Jim Hopkins, Saratoga, CA
Alicia & Bob Rivera, Los Altos, CA
Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
de Saisset Museum, University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
Katheryne & Richard Bishop, San Francisco, CA
Wellington S. Henderson, San Francisco, CA
Emlen Ehrlich, San Francisco, CA
Gay & Frank Husic, Sonoma, CA
Doreen & Dick Simonich, Alamo, CA
Mardel & Maries Castro, San Jose, CA
Kenneth Behring, Blackhawk, CA
Saks Fifth Ave., Springfield, IL
Robert Palmer, Columbus, OH
Robert Novic, Los Angeles, CA
DuPont Electronics, San Jose, CA
Plaza Bank of Commerce, Fremont, CA
Sanwa Bank, San Francisco, CA
Miller, Anderson & Sherrerd, West Conshohocken, PA
Gwen Francis, Cupertino, CA
Rosalie Tarabini, Sunnyvale, CA
A. Alan Berger, San Jose, CA
Kathy & Bill Cotton, Los Gatos, CA
Sylvia & Jim Katzman, Saratoga, CA
Joan Belden, Palo Alto, CA
Nancy & Mark Anderson, Menlo Park, CA
Dr. Martha Kanter & Carl Brown, Cupertino, CA
Patricia & Terence Stauber, Suisun, CA
Steve Schulz, Fresno, CA
Linda & Jim Walker, Cupertino, CA
Donna & Jeffery Michaels, Sunnyvale, CA
Arif Razvi, Los Gatos, CA
Yvonne & Gino Rinaldi, Santa Cruz, CA
Audrianna & Fred Tepella, Aptos, CA
Laurie K. Kirk, Santa Cruz, CA
Jennifer & Phillip DiNapoli, Los Gatos, CA
Kathy & Don Gomes, Santacruz, CA
Erica & Michael Jennings, San Francisco, CA
Rochelle & Bob Pola, Alameda, CA
Phyllis & Alvin Rutner, Los Altos, CA
Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Lopez, Saratoga, CA
Lisa Canepa , Santa Cruz, CA
Carolyn & Douglas Brown, Tahoe City, CA
Berta Powers, Cupertino, CA
Terry Grantham, Scottsdale, AZ
Patricia & Jon Rossi, Mountain View, CA
Carole & Bruce Battey, Saratoga, CA
Linda & Leslie Schwoob, Tahoe City, CA
Diane & Jack Coons, Cupertino CA
Lillie & Stu Roe, Scotts Valley, CA
Ellie & Cliff Erickson, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Sari Levine, Los Altos, CA
El Camino Urology Group, Los Altos, CA
C hristian Gates, Santa Cruz, CA
Jay Ruland, Los Gatos, CA
Nina & Andy Jennings, Tampa, FL
Donnie & Anthony Rocca, Aptos, CA
Jennifer & Sheen Khoury, San Mateo, CA
Kaiser Hospital, So. San Francisco, CA
John S. Pecoraro, Scotts Valley, CA
Kelley & Mark Pecoraro, Walnut Creek, CA
Wendy Aiken, Aptos, CA
Betty Heil, Aptos, CA
Lisa & John Deegan, Los Altos, CA
Patti & Joe Palma, Santa Cruz, CA
Nancy & Ted Biagini, Aptos, CA
Nina & Andy Jennings, Tampa, FL
Jennifer & Sheen Khoury, San Mateo, CA
Marilyn & Paul Chapin, Aptos, CA
Harry M. Barton, Newport Beach, CA
Elizabeth A. Moses, Santa Cruz, CA
Claudia & Larry Livingston, Santa Cruz, CA
Patti Malone, Aptos, CA
Blue Chip Tex, Inc. Granada Hills, CA
Memorial Hospital — North Tower, Modesto, CA
