Artist: Crista Ann Ames
Crista Ann Ames, WASHINGTON
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My work seeks to visualize the distortions of memory and the sensation of transitive or dissociative states of mind. My goal is to address the power of memory to change ones’ idea of reality, the immersive quality of emotion, and a longing to disassociate from the fixed relationship of our bodies and constructed ‘selves.’ I render human figures as depersonalized forms. My figures utilize their posture and the placement and contortion of their features to telegraph their emotions. Curling or twisting into these emotional metaphors, the figures are frozen in a kind of incomplete transformation: an uncanny place between being and not-being, or being and being ‘something else.’
My studio practice does the political work of bearing witness to those issues of trauma, gender, sexuality, and health that affect me. I am interested in what this form of representation means for how we individually unravel our memories, our loss, and our longing for transformation or distance. As an artist, I am interested in continuing this beautiful human process of inventively creating and aggrandizing the human experience while cultivating the amplification of vulnerable voices.
Education
2015 MFA, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2008-2010 Post-Baccalaureate Studies, Ceramics, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
2008 BFA, Ceramics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. | Cum Laude with Distinction and Minors in Art History and Disability Studies
Solo, Two Person, and Three Person Exhibitions
2021
Touch, Aunt Dofe’s Gallery, Willow Creek, MT. (Solo)
Behavior, Lighthouse Art Center, Tequesta, FL. (Solo)
2020
Time Lapse, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA. (Solo)
2019
Good Grief, Eutectic Gallery, Portland, OR. (Solo)
To Whom It May Concern, General Public, Missoula, MT. (Collaborative)
2018
Not Even Nature, Peninsula College PUB Gallery of Art, Port Angeles, WA. (Solo)
To The Bone, Margie Wilkins Gallery, Lewistown Art Center, MT. (Solo)
Them/me, Jodee Harris Gallery, Greensburg, PA. (Collaborative)
2017
Vocabulary of the Self, Corr Gallery, Dillon, MT. (Solo)
Somewhere, Nowhere, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT. (Solo)
On the Horizon, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
2016
Mutually Exclusive, University Center Gallery, Missoula, MT. (Collaborative)
2015
Contemplating Posture, Turman Larison Contemporary, Helena, MT.
This Tale is Told Out, Gallery of Visual Arts, Missoula, MT. (Solo)
Allocated Juncture, Fishbowl Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR. (Solo)
2014
Bo Peep, Fishbowl Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR. (Solo)
Pre-Candidacy Exhibition, Off Center Gallery, Missoula, MT. (Solo)
2013
Undone, The Exit Gallery, Bozeman, MT.
2011
Relic, Myrna Loy Art Center, Helena, MT.
2010
Exhibition of Works Created in Residence, Galerie Aqui Siam Ben, Vallauris, FR.
Spin a good yarn, The Bank Left Gallery, Palouse, WA. (Solo)
Selected Juried and Group Exhibitions
2021
Art in Everyday Life, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
Cups with a Conscience, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA.
Fish, Loft Gallery, Ellensburg, WA.
2020
Silver Lining, Eveleth Green Gallery, Ellensburg, WA.
Images of the Shrub Steppe, Boxx Gallery, Tieton, WA.
Kittitas County Open Show, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA.
CAP Art Auction, Cascade Aids Project, Portland, OR.
Yunomi Invitational, Clay AKAR, Iowa City, IA.
Wall Sculpture, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA.
Grand Re-Opening, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Females, Fiber, and Finesse, LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE.
2019
Gifted, Eutectic Gallery, Portland, OR.
Amnesia, High Tide, Philadelphia, PA.
This, Then, There, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
Art of Repetition, Gallery One Visual Arts Center, Ellensburg, WA.
Red Lodge Clay Center, Ryniker-Morrison Gallery, Billings, MT.
Beastiarum Vocabulum, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Unearthed, Northwest Gallery, Powell, WY.
Wish You Were Here, MSUB Fin Arts Gallery, Billings, MT.
2018
Figurative Association, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Make no Mistake, Corr Gallery, Dillon, MT.
Lovers, Gallery of Visual Arts, Missoula, MT.
Material Memory, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT.
20th Anniversary Show, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Ceramics Invitational, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Shoebox Show, Apple House Gallery, Skaelskor, DK.
Visual Voices: Truth Narratives, Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA.
Montana Found, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Red Lodge Clay Center, Ryniker-Morrison Gallery, Billings, MT.
Decades, Meloy Gallery, Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula, MT.
Red Lodge Clay Center, Northwest Gallery, Powell, WY.
2017
Bearing Witness, Idyllwild Arts Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild, CA.
Heads Up, ARC Contemporary Fine Art @ The Manheim Gallery, Cottonwood, AZ.
Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, Seiler’s Studio & Gallery, Zanesville, OH.
Off Center, Blue Line Arts Center, Roseville, CA.
Ceramic Innovations, Davenport Gallery, Wayne, PA.
2016
Resident Select, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Holiday Exhibition, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Clay? VI, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland, WA.
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Pottery Northwest 50th Celebration, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA.
Works in Clay, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Small Works From A Big State, NCECA, Kansas City, MO.
Bray Resident Artists, Belger Crane Yard Studios, Kansas City, MO.
Surrealism, Radius Gallery, Missoula MT.
2015
Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula International Airport, MT.
Resident Showcase, Clay Studio of Missoula, MT.
Recent Acquisitions to the Archie Bray Permanent Collection, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
Feast of Cultures, Wilkins Gallery, Lewiston, MT.
Bray Resident Artists, Kolva-Suullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA.
12th Annual Marge Brown Kalodner Graduate Student Exhibition, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA. (Juried)
Resident Artist Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
The Figure in Montana, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
MSU and UM Faculty and Student Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
Permutation, University Center Gallery, Missoula, MT. (Juried) First Place Award (Juror: Jess Abel Missoula MT)
2014
NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee, WI.
42nd Benefit Art Auction Exhibition, Missoula Art Museum, Missoula, MT. (Juried)
The Incarnate Poem, Zootown Arts Community Center, Missoula, MT.
2013
MSU and UM Student and Faculty Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT. (Juried)
Hot and Ready, Clay Studio of Missoula Gallery, Missoula, MT.
2012
Sure Bet, Fine Arts Student Gallery, Missoula, MT.
Beyond the Brickyard, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2011
Matchbox Show, Denmark’s Ceramic Museum Grimmerhus, Middelfart, DK.
Artwalk Show, Turman Larison Contemporary, Helena, MT.
Project Network, Denmark’s Ceramic Museum Grimmerhus, Middelfart, DK.
2010
Body and Soul, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD. (Juried)
Soda Salt National V Exhibition, the Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
(Juror: Julia Galloway, Professor, University of Montana)
Eighteenth San Angelo National Ceramics Competition, Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX.
(Jurors: Sherman Hall, Ceramics Monthly Editor & Susan Beiner, Associate Professor ASU)
March de Noel, Galerie Agui Siam Ben, Vallauris, FR. December
2009
NCECA: 2009 Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Tempe Center for the Arts Gallery, Tempe, AZ. (Jurors: Michaelene Walsh, Associate Professor, Louisiana State University and Gieffory Wheeler,Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin)
Ink and Clay 35, Kellogg Art Gallery, Pomona, CA (Juror: Kevin Wallace, Director & Curator Beatrice Wood Center of Arts, Ojai CA)
Clay, from the Functional to the Ornamental, The Bank Left Gallery, Palouse, WA.
Awards
2021
Best Nontraditional, “Cups with a Conscience”, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA.
Best Food, “Fish”, Loft Gallery, Ellensburg, WA.
2020
McMillen Artist Community Fellowship, Robert B McMillen Foundation, Cle Elum, WA.
Artist Grand, Ellensburg Art Commission, Ellensburg, WA.
2015
Windgate Summer Scholarship, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2014
NCECA Graduate Student Fellowship, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, Milwaukee,WI.
2013
Gilbert Millikan Art Scholarship, University of Montana, Fine Arts Department.
Fell-Oskins Scholarship, Fine Arts Department, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Wickes Family Scholarship in Fine Arts, Fine Arts Department, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2012
Gilbert Millikan Art Scholarship, University of Montana, Fine Arts Department.
2009
Studio Potter Recognition of Excellence, “NCECA 2009 Regional Student Juried Exhibition.” Phoenix, AZ.
2008
Westcliff Foundation Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO.
Outstanding Senior Fine Arts Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Teaching Experience
2019
Ceramics I, instructor of record, Block 1, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
Ceramics II, instructor of record, Block 1, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
Ceramics I, instructor of record, Block 8, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
Ceramics II, instructor of record, Block 8, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
2018
Ceramics I, instructor of record, Block 1, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
Ceramics II, instructor of record, Block 1, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
2015
Sculpture II: Digital Fabrication, Teaching Assistant, Spring Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2014
Visual Language Drawing, instructor of record, section 05 and 06, Fall Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
3-D Foundations, instructor of record, section 01 and 02, Spring Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2013
3-D Foundations, instructor of record, section 02 and 03, Fall Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Ceramics For Non-Majors, instructor of record, Spring Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Ceramics For Non-Majors, instructor of record, Winter Session, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Latin American Art History, teaching assistant, Spring Semester, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Artist Residencies
2021 Lighthouse Art Center, Three Wings Ceramic Fellow, Tequesta, FL.
2019-2021 Gallery One Visual Arts Center, Artist in Residence, Ellensburg, WA.
2018 Santa Fe Art Institute, Sponsored Equal Justice Resident, Santa Fe, NM.
2017-2019 Red Lodge Clay Center, Long Term Resident, Red Lodge, MT.
2015-2017 Clay Studio of Missoula, Long Term Resident, Missoula, MT.
2015 Archie Bray Foundation, Summer Resident, Helena, MT.
2011 Project Network Participating Artist, Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center, Skaelskor, DK. January 2 – February 13.
2010 A.I.R. Vallauris, Vallauris, FR. July 15- August 13.
Related Work Experience
2019-2021
Kids Ceramics, Instructor, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA.
Adult Ceramics Instructor, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA.
2019
Live Animal Sculpture, Instructor, Gallery One Visual Arts Center, Ellensburg, WA.
2018
Kids Ceramics, Instructor, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT.
Adult Ceramics Instructor, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT.
Curator, Them/me, Jodee Harris Gallery, Greensburg, PA.
Figure Sculpture, Instructor, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT.
2017
Kids Ceramics, Instructor, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT.
Animal Sculpture, Instructor, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT.
2016
Intermediate/Advanced Ceramics Instructor, Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT.
Kids Ceramics, Instructor, Clay Studio of Missoula, MT.
Book Binding, Workshop Instructor, Free Ceramics Studio Art Center, Helena, MT.
SPARK Ceramics, Instructor, Missoula Public Schools, MT.
Ceramics, Instructor, Clay Studio of Missoula, MT.
2015
Sculpting the Figure/Parts and Pieces, Instructor, The Clay Studio of Missoula, MT.
Figure Sculpture, Instructor, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
2011-2012
Clay Club, Instructor, Free Ceramics Studio B, Helena, MT.
2009
Curatorial Assistant, “Clay West Juried Exhibition” Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Logan, UT.
Online Auction Facilitator and Assistant to the Gallery Director, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT.
ArtsBridge America Scholar, Ceramic Mural Installation with a third-grade class, Logan, UT.
Studio Assistantships and Internships
2016-2017
Beth Lo’s studio assistant, Missoula, MT.
2014
Chris Antemann’s studio assistant, LH Project, Joseph, OR. July-August.
2013
Julia Galloway’s writing Intern, Field Guide for Ceramic Artisans, Missoula, MT.
2011
Ceramic Studio Assistantship, Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center, Skælskør, DK.
2010
Richard Notkin’s studio and workshop assistant, Helena, MT.
Chris Antemann’s studio assistant, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT.
Ceramics Studio Assistant, Utah State University Ceramics Studio, Logan, UT.
2009
Ceramics Studio Assistant, Utah State University Ceramics Studio, Logan, UT.
2008
Linda Sormin’s studio and installation assistant, Pullman, WA.
Marilyn Lysohir’s intern and studio assistant, Moscow, ID.
Public Lectures and Demonstrations
2021
Portrait Perfect, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, Longview Community College, Longview, WA.
Interpreting Behavior, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, Lighthouse Art Center, Tequesta, FL.
2020
Happy Hour, Artist Lecture and studio tour, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, CA.
2018
Auto Mythography, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND.
Material Mythography, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA.
A Way in Clay, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT.
2017
Sculpting Self, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.
Bearing Witness Panel Discussion, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA.
2016
Anthropomorphized, Demonstrating Artist and Lecturer, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Crista Ann Ames, Walk & Talk series, Radius Gallery, Missoula, MT.
2015
Transposing Memories, artTalk series at Shakespeare and Company, Missoula, MT.
Contemplating Posture, exhibiting artist gallery talk Turman Larison Contemporary, Helena, MT.
Resident Artist Lecture series: Crista Ann Ames, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT.
this tale is told out: oral thesis defense, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
Snip, Snap, Snout, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2013
Undone, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.
2012
Family Folklore, California State University, Long Beach, CA.
Publications
Witness to the West, Charles Finn, “High Desert Journal”, October 2017, Issue 25.
Universal Figures, Cory Walsh, “Missoulian”, March 17, 2017, E1 and E5.
Ceramics state, Cory Walsh, “Missoulian”, May 13, 2016, E1 and E4.
Sculpture Crista Ann Ames Steps into her own stories, Marga Lincoln, “Independent Record”, November 6, 2015.
Ones to Watch, Michele Corriel, “Western Art and Architecture”, October/November 2013, p. 56-57.
500 Vases, Ray Hemachandra & Julia Galloway, Lark Books. October 2010.
NCECA 2009 Regional Student Juried Exhibition, Clay Times, Vol. 15, No. 82, July/August 2009, p. 14.
Collections
Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula, MT
Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT
Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula, MT
Denmark’s Ceramic Museum Grimmerhus, Middelfart, DK
Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center Skaelskor, DK
A.I.R. Vallauris Vallauris, FR