Elsa DeChristopher
meet the artist
Meet ELSa
I am a visual artist based in Central Oregon who is seeking to commemorate and awaken meaningful connection between humans and the natural world. I explore these topics through symbolic imagery, painting, collage, printmaking and mixed media. Interested in themes such as femininity and nature, dispelling the belief of nature as “other”, and reviving the sense of sacred in the natural world and each other, I convey mystery, holiness and the beauty and power of the feminine soul in each piece. My work is an expression of and a means to bringing about justice for the environment and the beings who exist in it.
resume
Education and Qualifications
​
2019 Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art; Thesis Track | Linfield College, McMinnville, OR
​
Honors and Awards
​
2019 Blackfish Gallery Recent Graduates Exhibition | Linfield College Department of Art, McMinnville, OR
2019 Merit Award in Studio Art from The Henry Homer & Olive Gowan Ballenger Endowed Fund | Linfield College Department of Art, McMinnville, OR
2019 Thesis Honors | Linfield College Department of Art, McMinnville, OR
2017 The Bonnie Bennett Visual Arts Scholarship | Linfield College Department of Art, McMinnville, OR
2015 Linfield Competitive Art Scholarship | Linfield College Department of Art, McMinnville, OR
2014 Honorable Mention | The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and Central Oregon Scholastic Art Awards, Bend, OR
2013 Honorable Mention | The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and Oregon Art Education Association, Bend, OR
2013 Honorable Mention | Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, Portland, OR
2012 First Place | Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, Portland, OR
​
Exhibitions
​
2019 Blackfish Gallery Recent Graduate Exhibition | Blackfish Gallery, Portland, OR
2019 Liminal Epithets | Linfield College Department of Art Thesis Show, McMinnville, OR
2018 I’ll Be Your Mirror | Juried show by Daniel Dufford, Linfield Art Gallery, McMinnville, OR
2017 Summer Exhibition | Juried show by Kellie Bowen, Wallow Gallery, Carlton, OR
Public Art
​
2021 Bleu Door Mural | Bleu Door Restaurant, Vancouver, OR.
2020 High Desert Mural | Sisters Middle School, Sisters, OR
2017 Rainforest Mural | Prune Hille Elementary, Camas, WA
2015 Mountain Mural | Columbia Valley Elementary, Vancouver, WA
2014 Yew Roundabout Sculpture | Redmond City Council and Redmond Proficiency Academy Art Collaboration, Redmond, OR. Granted $30,000 to lead an arts team in designing and creating a roundabout sculpture for the Yew Roundabout.
2013 Dry Canyon Tunnel Mural | Redmond City Council and Redmond Proficiency Academy Art Collaboration, Redmond, OR. Collaboration with local artists and students.
​
Professional Teaching Experience
​
2021 Dandelion Art Center | Location Director, Redmond, OR. Managing all activities at Dandelion Art Center, Redmond location.
2019-present Elsa Fine Art | Exploration of Art Mediums Course for kids, Redmond and Bend, OR. Leading young students through a variety of mediums focusing on animals, mythical creatures and landscapes.
2018 Elida Art Studio & Gallery | Abstract Art Workshop for adults, Camas, WA. Using drip method to create abstract fields.
2018 Elida Art Studio & Gallery | Nature Study and Art Workshop for teens, Camas, WA.. Leading young artists through scientific illustration methods outdoors.
2015-2018 Art Van-Go | Summer Art Camps for kids, Camas, WA. Planning and teaching classes using a variety of mediums.
​
Internships and Assistantships
​
2018 Elida Art Studio & Gallery Internship | Assisted Elida Field in teaching art classes and running events at Elida Art Studio & Gallery, Camas, WA.
2017 Printmaking Internship | Assisted Thea Gahr in preparing for an art event held at the Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, Portland, OR.
2017 Elida Art Studio & Gallery Internship | Assisted Elida Field in creating a mural at Prune Hill Elementary, Camas, WA.
2016 AHA Art Internship Internship | Antioch Church, Bend, OR
2015 Elida Art Studio & Gallery Internship | Assisted Elida Field in creating a mural at Columbia Valley Elementary, Vancouver, WA.