As part of The Culturally Curious Exhibition Series, the Storm Petrel Foundation - located in Attard - invites the public to ‘Joseph Calleia on Stage and Screen: Celebrating a Maltese Icon’, curated by Justine Balzan Demajo. The exhibition opens on 1st November, between 10am and 1pm, and shines a well-deserved spotlight on one of Malta’s greatest international talents.

Even fifty years after his passing, Joseph Calleia remains a towering figure in Malta’s cultural memory. Having starred in over 62 films and enjoyed a career that spanned three decades on stage and screen, Calleia remains one of the few Maltese actors to truly make it in Hollywood.

Born in Rabat in 1897, Calleia’s story is one of talent and transformation. After emigrating to the United States in the early 1920s, he began as a singer, his distinctive voice quickly setting him apart. It wasn’t long before Broadway came calling, and his natural charisma soon carried him to the silver screen. His eventual signing with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) marked the beginning of a glittering career alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

This exhibition brings together nine Maltese collectors and one British collector, uniting their personal archives, memorabilia, and passion to celebrate the man who dared to chase – and achieve – the American Dream.

A must-visit for anyone who loves film or history!