Crista Ann Ames

Crista Ann Ames is a sculptor working primarily in ceramics, wood, and textiles. Through the layering of mythology, iconography and personal narrative, Crista explores how our own animal nature relates to the ways we establish and sustain personal relationships. Raised on a small hobby farm in Washington State, Crista often draws on her own experiences to explore pastoral life, animal husbandry, women’s craft and fertility.

Crista attended Washington State University where she obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics with a minor in Art History and Disability Studies. After receiving her BFA, Crista attended Utah State University for Post Baccalaureate studies in Ceramics. While receiving her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Montana Crista began studying dance and movement to help inform the way she sculpts the figure. She has been an artist in residence at A.I.R. Valluaris in France, Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Center in Denmark, the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT, The Clay Studio of Missoula, Santa Fe Art Institute, and Red Lodge Clay Center. Crista is currently an Artist in Residence and Studio Manager at Gallery One Visual Arts Center in Ellensburg, Washington.