Whether it’s wood or words he’s working with, Kam Ghaffari ’77 enjoys the interdisciplinary nature of art.  “I used to think I’d find a comfortable niche, but I keep reinventing myself,” he says.  “The constants are a passion for creating and experimenting, and for fine craftsmanship in everything I do.”

Ghaffari is known for his award-winning imaginative sculpture and finely-crafted sculptural furniture.  His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country, and is represented in numerous public, private and corporate collections.  He is a founding member of several arts organizations involved in education, exhibitions, arts advocacy, downtown revitalization and civic events. He carves, fabricates and engineers his artwork in diverse materials including wood, stone, metals, plastics and glass. 

Ghaffari is a writer and editor as well.  His experience encompasses fiction, journalism, corporate communications, PR, technical writing, educational software, and even co-writing a TV screenplay.  He has written five books in the woodworking field and was a consulting editor and contributing writer for the Time-Life Books series, The Art of Woodworking.  He has held positions from copy editor to managing editor with many companies, large and small, and is currently lead editor at the Mystic, CT, offices of General Physics Corporation, while continuing with his sculpting.

“At St. Lawrence I learned to explore,” he says.  “I started as a chemistry major, but soon switched to English.  I also pursued philosophy, and spent a lot of time in the fine arts department.  I’ve always been an outdoorsman, and at SLU I took advantage of the Outing Club.  I found the faculty inspiring and accessible. I am grateful to SLU for the opportunities to discuss philosophy with a friend over meals, escape for hours to music rooms to write stories (and bang on the drums), and stay up all night painting in the art studio.”