2023

Check back for events in 2023.

BIOGRAPHY Chris Wooten is a mixed-media artist who has spent much of her life making artworks for solo and group exhibitions, and for private and public art commissions. Chris' imagery, messages and use of materials are informed by ancient and modern cultures, and by human connections to the natural environment through rituals, observation and interpretation. Her artworks emerge from a personal mythology, often with a compelling story to tell. Oscillating between producing artworks that invoke a sense of beauty and joy, versus art pieces that are an expression of frustration with the injustices in the world, her work ultimately emphasizes that humans are part of nature, not superior to or separate from it. Currently working in sculptural woven wire, her pieces produce cast shadows and convey permeability, transparency and lightness. These qualities reinforce her messages regarding impermanence and shifting realities.

Photo by Vladimir Shakov, Tacoma jade, garnet and other stone carving artist

Chris also has extensive experience working in mixed media fabrications, sculptural fiber, printmaking and theatrical costuming/mask-making. She received her formal arts education from the University of Washington and the University of Illinois. Her ongoing artistic development comes from life experiences and working with a variety of people in a variety of environments.

Printmaking, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Printmaking/Painting, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
AA/Fine Arts, Black Hawk College, Rock Island, IL

American Art Company, Tacoma WA
Northwest Designer Craftsmen, Seattle WA
National Basketry Organization, Gloucester MA

2022	ICON 9th Annual Juried Exhibition, Lynn Hanson Gallery, Seattle WA Every 1 - 2022, National Basketry Organization, Virtual Group Exhibit, Gloucester MA Fantasy Footwear Exhibition, Clarke & Clarke Art & Artifacts, NWDC Group Show, Mercer Island, WA SW Washington Juried Exhibition, Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Olympia WA (Catalog) Featured Artist, National Basketry Organization, Gloucester MA - NBO Featured Artist-Feb 7-11-2022
2021	ICON 8th Annual Juried Exhibition, Lynn Hanson Gallery, Seattle WA NBO 2021, Every 1, Virtual Group Exhibit, NBO-Exhibits.org, National Basketry Organization, Gloucester MA Featured Artist, National Basketry Organization, Gloucester, MA - Facebook and Instagram Facebook Instagram
2020	NWCRAFT-20, Virtual Juried Show, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue WA ICON Juried Show, Virtual and Live Group Exhibition, Lynn Hanson Gallery, Seattle WA - Award for Best Use of Reclaimed Materials Video- http://www.lynnhansongallery.com/icon-2020.html SW Washington Juried Exhibition, Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Olympia WA (Catalog) Video- https://spscc.edu/gallery/exhibition/southwest-juried-show-2020 Currents 2020 National Craft Exhibition, Schack Art Center, Everett, WA (Catalog) A Fidget TV production https://youtu.be/EITvCRB7Hb4
2019	Art of the Garden, 14 Piece Installation for Group Show, Schack Art Center, Everett WA STEM+Art+Design, NWDC Group Show, Schack Art Center, Everett WA Juror's Invitational, Custom Installation for Group Show, Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia WA CVG Show, Group Show, Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton WA For Tacoma, Invitational Group Show, Alma Mater Gallery, Tacoma WA
2018	The Contemporary Art of Pacific Northwest Crafts, Group Show, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle WA SW Washington Juried Exhibition, Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts, Olympia WA - Merit Award 16th Annual Art Exhibition, The Gallery At Tacoma Community College, Tacoma WA New Work, American Art Company, Tacoma WA
2017	New Work, 2-Person Show, MINKA Gallery & Design Showroom, Tacoma WA 10x10x10xTieton, International Annual Exhibition, Tieton Arts and Humanities, Tieton WA (Catalog)
2015	Collections, Invitational Group Exhibit, Gallery 309, Tacoma, WA
2014	Boats and Vessels, Invitational Group Show, Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, Tacoma WA
2011	Photographs and Wire Sculpture, 2-Person Show, Sandpiper Gallery, Tacoma WA
2010	Bags with Purse-onality, Invitational Group Show, Sandpiper Gallery, Tacoma WA
2009	Flux: Metal-Urge, Invitational Group Show, Tacoma Arts Commission and Gallery Madera, Tacoma WA (Catalog)
2008	re-Art '08, Invitational Group Show Gallery Madera, Tacoma WA Icon, Group Show, 2Vaults Gallery, Tacoma WA
2006	Concreativity, Invitational Group Show, Handforth Gallery, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma WA Suitcase Sightings, Group Exhibit, American Art Company, Tacoma WA
2005	Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Invitational Group Show, SeaTac Airport, Seattle WA
2003	Biology 202-203 - Invitational Group Show, SeaTac Airport, Seattle WA Cakewalk, Invitational Group Event, Tacoma Contemporary, Tacoma WA
2002	Biology 101-103 - Invitational Group Show, SeaTac Airport, Seattle WA Boundaries - 2-Person Urban Window Installation, Commencement Art Gallery, Tacoma WA
2001	The First Splash - Invitational Group Show, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue WA
2000	Rituals for Nature - Masks and Constructions - Solo Exhibit - Random Modern Gallery, Tacoma WA
1999	The Art of Paper - Group Show, West Coast Paper Company, Kent WA Masks for Nature - Invitational Show, Commencement Art Gallery, Tacoma WA Art for Nature - Solo Exhibit - Gilmartin Gallery, University Unitarian Church, Seattle WA Chris Wooten: Masks of Nature - Solo Exhibit, 747 Fawcett Gallery, Tacoma WA Chris Wooten: Featured Artist - Solo Exhibit, LeRoy Jewelers, Tacoma WA Chris Wooten: Masks - Solo Exhibit, Starbucks at UWT, Tacoma WA
1998	The Art of Paper - Group Show, West Coast Paper Company, Kent WA - Best in Show Purchase Award - Juror: Elaine Koretsky, International Papermaker
1996	The Art of Paper - Group Show, West Coast Paper Company, Kent WA Natural Instincts - Group Show, Art Quest Gallery, Auburn WA - Award for Innovation in Concepts and Technique
1995	South Sounds Juried Competition, Commencement Art Gallery, Tacoma WA
1994	Primitive Moods - Invitational Group Show - Milner Gallery, Gig Harbor WA
1987	Fishart, Invitational Group Show- Columbia Art Gallery, Hood River OR
1986	40th Annual Bellevue Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue WA 12 x 12 Art Auction - Seattle Design Association, Seattle WA (Catalog)
1984	Western Washington Fair Arts Exhibition, Puyallup Fairgrounds, Puyallup WA
1982	Anacortes Arts & Crafts Festival, Anacortes WA
1980	Seattle Printmakers - Invitational Group Show, Stone Press Gallery, Seattle WA
1978	5th Annual Midwestern Printmaking and Drawing Exhibition - Tulsa City/County Library System Gallery, Tulsa, OK, (Catalog) - Permanent Collection Purchase Award Muscatine Art Center Annual Exhibition, Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine IA
1977	Chris Wooten & Vladimir Shakov - Two-person Exhibition - Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City IA
1974	Muscatine Art Center Annual Exhibition, Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine IA
1973	Mid-Mississippi Valley Annual, Davenport Municipal Art Gallery, Davenport IA, (Catalog) - I.T. Rostenbach Award
1972	Mid-Mississippi Valley Annual, Davenport Municipal Art Gallery, Davenport IA, (Catalog)- Award from Tri-City Garden Club

2013	"Red Rooster Bench" - Fern Hill Historic Neighborhood Business District, Tacoma WA. Co-created. Sited with "Chicken Fun Sway" at 84th St and S. Park Ave, Tacoma WA
2005	"Sea Charmer" Face West Figurehead Sculpture for Tall Ships Festival, Tacoma WA. Co-created.
2004	"Chicken Fun Sway:" Red Door Project - City of Tacoma, Economic Development Department, Tacoma WA. Co-created. (Catalog, Map and Calendar)
2001	"Canned Salmon" - Commissioned by the City of Tacoma's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Sited in Tacoma's Theatre District. Tacoma WA. Co- created. (Published on the cover of the City's Annual Report.
1997	"...and things that go BUMP in the night" - Seattle Fringe Festival, City of Seattle Municipal Light and Theatre Company, Seattle WA

2019	Alec Clayton, "Pick of the Crop,"Weekly Volcano, Tacoma & Olympia WA, March 28, 2019 Molly Gilmore, "Eclectic Invitational Showcases 10 Artists from the Region", The Olympian, March 20, 2019
2018	Southwest Washington Juried Exhibition Catalog, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia WA, July, 2018
2017	10x10x10xTieton Exhibition Catalog, Tieton Arts and Humanities & Marquand Editions, Tieton WA, Aug. 12, 2017
2011	Dave Davidson, "Know your public art: Fern Hill's Magical Portal, Tacoma Weekly, Tacoma WA, May 29, Dave Davidson, "Husband and Wife Team Exhibit at Sandpiper", Tacoma Weekly, Tacoma WA, July 29, 2011 Rosemary Ponnekanti, "Wooten's Feminine Trees", The News Tribune, Tacoma WA, July 29, 2011
2008	Michael Swan, "What the Flux?," Weekly Volcano, Tacoma WA, July 29, 2009
2009	Alec Clayton, "Recycled re-Art" - The Weekly Volcano, Tacoma WA, October 22, 2008
2006	"2006 Calendar", Month of April - Sands, Costner and Assoc., Tacoma WA, January, 2006 David Chesanow, "Public Art Tour", The News Tribune special advertising publication: Live Your Destiny, Tacoma WA, October 2006
2005	Alec Clayton, "Emotional Baggage", The Weekly Volcano, Tacoma, WA, June 2 -8, 2005 Alec Clayton, "Best Case Scenarios", The News Tribune, Sound Life, Tacoma WA, Aug. 8, 2005< Lane Ficke and Carol Mathewson, "Red Door Project", featuring the sculpture Chicken Fun Sway. TV Tacoma interview, aired 25 times throughout the month of August 2005
2004	Kate Chenoweth, "Get cultured in Tacoma", Sunset Magazine, January issue, 2004 Brett Oppegard, "Public Art can help define and energize a city", The Columbian, Vancouver WA, May 24, Brad Broberg, "Doors Adorned", the News Tribune, Tacoma WA, Sound Life section cover story, May 14 Alec Clayton, "Behind the Red Doors", The Weekly Volcano, Tacoma WA, May 20 -26th, 2004 Marcelene Edwards, "Fern Hill Spruces Itself Up For Business", The News Tribune, Tacoma WA, June 29, 2004
2003	Virginia Bunker, "Cakewalk Epilogue 2003", Toby Room, Tacoma WA, December, 2003
2002	"Salmon Sightings", The News Tribune, Tacoma WA, January 24, 2002
2001	Travis Weston, "Downtown Tacoma Gets 8 Feet of "Canned Salmon", Tacoma Weekly, Tacoma WA, Nov. 29, 2001
1999	Leann Seaberg-Perry: Interviewer, "March Featured Artist", TCI Cable TV Show, "Around Here", Tacoma WA, 5 minute segment aired 25 times during March, 1999 Jen Graves, "The Faces of Nature in Art", The News Tribune, Tacoma WA, Sound Life section cover photo and story, December 16, 1999
1998	Aimee Green, "Artists pound art out of pulp in paper exhibit", The News Tribune, Tacoma WA, June 3, 1998
1997	Jimi Lott, "Facing the Fringe", The Seattle Times, Tempo section cover story, Seattle WA, March 5, 1997
1978	Julie Jensen, "15 Art Works Honored: Mid-Mississippi Features 77 Artists", Quad City Times, Davenport IA, October 22, 1978
1975	"Winter Art Festival at Hauberg Center", The Argus, Rock Island IL, Feb. 25, 1975

• Fern Hill Historic Business District, Tacoma WA
• City of Tacoma, Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services, Tacoma WA
• West Coast Paper Company, Kent WA
• City of Seattle, Municipal Light and Theatre Company, Seattle WA
• Axis Consulting International, San Francisco CA
• John Deere & Company, Moline IL
• Tulsa City/County Library System, Tulsa OK
• University of Illinois Memorial Union, Champaign IL
• Many private collections