Matzke Fine Art and Design

Chris Theiss, Clay

Chris Theiss

Chris Theiss was born in 1967 in Hope, Rhode Island. After beginning his art education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design where he received his B.F.A. in ceramics in 1990. He went on to study at The University of California Davis and became the last graduate student to study under the artist Robert Arneson. After graduate school Chris taught at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 -1993 as visiting professor of ceramics. He has been a member of the art faculty at Skagit Valley College from 1993 to present and held the position of adjunct professor of art at Western Washington University teaching Ceramics, 3-Dimensional Art, and Drawing from 2014-2016. As well as being an art educator, Chris has also maintained the practice of commercial art creating a variety of work such as children’s book illustration, textile design, and display design. He has recently embarked on a collaborative project with his wife Kristin Loffer Theiss producing a line of porcelain vessels influenced by her textile designs and color pallet. Chris exhibits his sculpture and drawings throughout the United States and his work has found homes in collections such as The Mint Museum, Los Angeles County Museum, Crocker Art Museum, The University of California Davis, The Rhode Island School of Design, The California Palace of the Legion of Honor and the Ceramic Research Center/ASU Art Museum. Chris’ ceramic sculpture was featured on the cover of Ceramics Art and Perception issue #100 and in the most recent “Encyclopedia of Inspiration” published by Uppercase magazine.