About

Chris brings a lifetime of artistic pursuit and professional design experience to her artwork and more recently to her teaching. Accredited in graphic design in California, she spent 20 years in corporate marketing before relocating to Virginia in 2000, followed by eight years as a graphic artist at The News Leader newspaper in Staunton. Throughout her career, she has continued studying with accomplished instructors, refining her practice and expanding her visual language. In addition to being a passionate instructor, Chris enjoys painting, collage, printmaking, and urban sketching.

Education
Associate Degree, WLA Community College, CA
Studio arts and art history program, UCLA Extension, CA

Solo Exhibitions
2025 Crucible Coffee Roasters Staunton, VA
2024 CoArt Gallery, Featured Artist, Staunton, VA
2022 Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room, Staunton, VA
2019 292 North Gallery, "Joy Studies" Harrisonburg, VA
2017 Shenandoah Pizza and Taphouse, Staunton, VA

Group Exhibitions
2026  Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, ​VA
2026 Gallery 22, Staunton, VA
2025 Shenandoah Valley Art Center, W’boro, VA
2024 Nichols Gallery, Barboursville, VA
2023 McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA 
2022 Eleanor D. Wilson Museum/Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
2022 VMRC National Juried Exhibition, Harrisonburg, VA
2021 American Watercolor Society, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
2020 VMRC National Juried Exhibition, Harrisonburg, VA
2019 Bath County Art Show, Hot Springs, VA
2018 VMRC National Juried Show, Harrisonburg, VA
2017 Larkin Gallery National Juried Exhibition, Harrisonburg, VA
2017 CVWG 26th Annual Exhibit, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA
2017 Nelson Gallery, “Beyond Printmaking” Lexington, VA
2017 Co-Art Gallery Featured Artist “Maya”, Staunton, VA
2017 Blue Mountain Coffee, Group Exhibit, Staunton, VA
2016 Winter Printmaking Show, Shenandoah Valley Art Center, Waynesboro, VA

Awards/Prizes
2022 Juror's Award, VMRC Annual Juried Exhibition, Harrisonburg, VA
2020 Honorable Mention and Purchase Award, VMRC Annual Juried Exhibition, H’burg, VA
2018 Honorable Mention, Bath County Art Show, Hot Springs, VA
2018 2nd Place Award, SVAC Annual Member Show, Waynesboro, VA
2017 Honorable Mention, VMRC Annual Juried Exhibition, Harrisonburg, VA
2017 Honorable Mention, SVAC Annual Member Show, Waynesboro, VA
2017 Award of Excellence CVWG 26th Annual Juried Exhibition, Charlottesville, VA

Associations
Representation: Co-Art Gallery in Staunton, A

Gallery   Co-Art Gallery
Instagram    Instagram - christinewattsart
Facebook     Christine Watts Creative

Artist Statement (Abstract Painting)
“”My abstract works develop around life-questions and contemplations. I’m curious about relationships, boundaries, and visual uncertainties among painted and collaged forms. I apply a personal painting process that results in the smallest of visual stories which are interior and meaningful to me. My titles attempt to guide the viewer toward my vision and/or send them on their own interior journey.”

"Begin in gratitude. End in humility."  -  CMW